Why Does John Tavares Want Scott Laughton on His Line?

If John Tavares is talking up a teammate, it’s usually worth listening. He doesn’t waste words, and he doesn’t flatter for sport. So when he describes Scott Laughton as a “funny dude that competes like hell,” that combination matters. Why? Because that’s the balance every good room needs.

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Tavares Starts with One Simple Fact: Laughton Competes

Tavares starts with the obvious stuff. Laughton competes. Relentlessly. He plays a hard-nosed game, wins battles, gets into uncomfortable areas, and doesn’t cheat shifts. Coaches love that. Teammates rely on it. It travels well, especially when games get tight and cute hockey stops working.

Then Tavares takes it a step further, and this is where it gets interesting. He says Laughton has more offence in his game than people realize. Soft hands, good reads, and a feel for when to push and when to wait. Tavares points to his breakaways — calm, patient, smooth finish. That doesn’t happen by luck. That’s a player who sees the whole picture, not just the corners.

You can move Laughton anywhere. He’ll handle the tough minutes, do the dirty work, and then surprise you with a clean play when there’s an opening. Over 82 games, that kind of reliability becomes a real asset.

What Makes Laughton Really Fun Is His Personality

Then there’s Laughton’s personality. According to Tavares, Laughton is always up to something. Always smiling. Always needling someone. You can’t look at him with a straight face because you know there’s a joke coming, or a look, or some little moment meant to keep things loose. That’s not filler energy. That’s the kind of glue that holds a team together.

Locker rooms don’t run on speeches. They run on trust, rhythm, and guys who make showing up every day easier. The Tavares and Laughton Oakville connection gets a laugh, but the real takeaway is this: players like Laughton matter because they bring edge without ego, humour without distraction, and effort without reminders.

You win with stars. You have fun doing it with brothers-in-arms like this.

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