Going back to juniors: Wild’s Dumba, Flyers’ Laughton

It’s decision time for the junior-eligible players getting work in the NHL and two of them are headed back to the CHL today.

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that forward Scott Laughton is headed back to the OHL’s Oshawa Generals after playing in all five of the team’s games. Had he played against Tampa Bay tonight he would’ve played the full season in Philadelphia and burned the first year of his entry-level contract.

With Danny Briere back in action and Zac Rinaldo likely returning this week and Tye McGinn playing well, it didn’t make sense to keep Laughton around to play minimal time.

The Minnesota Wild followed suit in doing the same for defenseman Matthew Dumba as they sent him back to the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels. With the Wild getting rookie Jonas Brodin as well as Marco Scandella back from injuries, their defensive depth was more than sufficient.

Dumba did impress Wild brass with his ability to adapt quickly, but burning the first year of his contract wouldn’t have made much sense. We will miss our new favorite last name/number combination. Maybe Dumba-55 will be back next season.

love this kid, similarities to king Karlson in Ott, but who gave him 55? Does anyone else see a problem here #Dumba55 http://t.co/X2FpDfjz—
Zenon Konopka (@ZenonKonopka) January 23, 2013