When Scott Laughton was sent down to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms last season, some regarded him as a first-round bust.
That was then. This is now: Laughton steadied his game with the Phantoms so much that the Flyers protected him in the expansion draft and he is favored to win the fourth-line center spot when training camp opens Sept. 15 in Voorhees.
Laughton, 23, arrived at the Flyers’ training facility Aug. 20, about a month before he needed to report.
“Thought I’d come in early and kind of get settled in and work on the game a bit and work with these guys,” he said the other day, referring to the others who have arrived ahead of time.