Michael Latta is still young, just 24 and in his third NHL season. But he’s old enough that his own expectations have changed, that being occasionally scratched is no longer acceptable.
“Obviously, a contract year for myself, I really want to establish myself as a player in the lineup that’s useful and needs to be in the lineup,” Latta said.
That made the start of the season especially difficult to stomach, when he was scratched for the Washington Capitals’ third game of the season. But he’s centered the fourth line for six straight games now, scoring his first goal since 2013 against the Calgary Flames recently.