Is This the Year Scott Laughton Sticks with Flyers?

It was almost a year ago now that Scott Laughton stood in the visitors locker room of the Verizon Center in Washington, after the last preseason game, and made a compelling case.

It was just about time for the team to make its final cuts and Laughton listed every reason he thought he shouldn't be on the team. For a 19-year-old, it was remarkable self-reflection, although he was probably too hard on himself.

This year could be different. He's been in South Jersey since the beginning of August, subletting with fellow prospects Taylor Leier and Shayne Gostisbehere, preparing for training camp. The first step is rookie camp, which starts Saturday at Skate Zone in Voorhees.

"I know I was pretty tough on myself last preseason and I'm probably gonna be tough on myself again," the 2012 first-round pick said. "That's how I am. I want to play my best and I didn't think I did that last season, so hopefully I can come back and have a good preseason this year."

Laughton will continue to face adversity because the Flyers have a plethora of candidates to play center, the position he's played all his life. The Oakville, Ontario native isn't usually one to keep an eye on what the Flyers are doing and wonder to himself where he fits in, but this summer he just couldn't help himself.