Flyers Notes: Flyers send Scott Laughton to junior team

TAMPA, Fla. - The Flyers decided to send center Scott Laughton back to his junior team for more seasoning, general manager Paul Holmgren said before Sunday's inartistic 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay.

Holmgren said that it was a difficult decision but that it was in Laughton's "best interest" to return to Oshawa in the Ontario Hockey League.

"He needs to play and needs to play in all situations," Holmgren said. He added: "The little bit of time he had here was good for him and good for us. He got to know some of the guys and learn a little bit about being a pro."

Laughton, 18, spent five games with the Flyers, and had he played Sunday, his entry-level contract would have started.

Laughton said playing substantially more minutes for Oshawa "will be good for my development," and added that he had no regrets about his play with the Flyers. "There's nothing I can do now, just try and get better and make the squad next year," he said.

Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said Laughton "didn't look out of place" in his brief stint with the team. "Defensively, he's been in the right position. He's physical, smart."

Laughton, the team's No. 1 pick (20th overall) in the June draft, played well but was scoreless in five games.

"Getting bigger for the next level," Laughton said, was one of his goals. "I thought my speed was pretty good here, but I need to work on my strength."

Laughton's junior team does not play again until Friday. Oshawa ends its regular season on March 17, and Laughton could return to the Flyers after his team's playoffs end.

But that seems unlikely because the Flyers wouldn't want to burn off a year of his contract.

Holmgren, who said Danny Briere's return to the lineup did not affect the Laughton decision, said he had depth in the minors if recalls have to be made, and he praised the development of the Phantoms' Harry Zolnierczyk.

Flyers founder Ed Snider will be honored at the 109th annual Philadelphia Sports Writers Association banquet Monday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill.

Snider, who went into hockey's Hall of Fame in the "builder" category in 1988, will receive the lifetime humanitarian award.

Cocktails will be served at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:15. Tickets will be available at the door.

The Flyers had more shots blocked by Tampa Bay (26) than shots on goal (25). . . . The Flyers lead the league with 39 minor penalties; they had six Sunday. . . . Winger Zac Rinaldo, recovering from a lacerated right leg, probably will be available Tuesday against the New York Rangers, Holmgren said. . . . Briere said that his left wrist is improving each day and that he may be able to take faceoffs in about a week.