Bellemare is much more useful than Laughton.

I disagree. Laughton is 22 and has been very good in the AHL this year. He struggled at times in the big league last year but I think he'll bring way more than Bellmare who is an alright penalty killer and a nothing offensive player. They've been grooming Laughton for a shutdown role this year on the phantoms and so he could bring more offense while also contributing defensively.

There is a huge difference between shutting down an AHL top line and an NHL 1-2 line. Laughton was atrocious last year defensively, hence why he, basically, hasn't seen the ice in the NHL this year.

Bellmare shuts down nothing. He and Vandevelde sit in the defensive zone every shift and literally bring nothing offensively. They're fringe nhlers at best and I'd much rather bring up youth with actual upsde. Lots of 20 year olds struggle on defense, doesn't make them busts. But agree to disagree.

I would prefer to hold onto Read or Raffl to play the 4th line role over Laughton. We have plenty of young guys that are going to get a shot in the next couple years.

I'd be fine with that too. I'm just a big believer it getting some of the youth up. I'm probably a little biased because I've seen like 10 Phantoms games live this year and there is so much potential on that team.

lol PEBs doesn't shut down other teams top lines. Thats what Coots does...