John Tavares on Scott Laughton taunting a Jets fan in Winnipeg: "It's hard to look at him with a straight face... He's a funny dude who competes like hell... We love him in here"

"He has a lot more playmaking offense than a lot of people give him credit for. He plays a hard-nosed game and does a lot of the little things really well, but he has soft hands and a really good understanding of the game. You see it a lot when he gets in alone on a breakaway, with his ability to finish and how smooth he is."

"That is just who he is. He always has something up his sleeve. It is hard to look at him with a straight face because you just know there is something going on in the back of his mind; he is trying to get one up on someone. He builds the bonds in here. He is an amazing guy with amazing energy. He is just a funny dude who competes like hell. We love him in here."

Scott Laughton functions as a competitive, hard-nosed 'glue' forward who adds unexpected playmaking and finishing ability. He displays soft hands and a smooth finish on breakaways while consistently executing many of the small, responsible plays that benefit line mates. His personality energizes the locker room and helps build team bonds, contributing to positive chemistry when shared on a line. A late-game gesture toward opposing fans reflected intense emotion after a penalty and the desire for an overtime winner. Auston Matthews is performing at an exceptionally hot level, and the team faces a condensed schedule before the Olympic break.

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