I recall a time when there were guys playing 3/4 line, and you couldn't wait to see them get on the ice and start something. Laughton is 6'01, 190. Wayne Simmonds is 6'02, 185. As they say, size of the fight in the dog, yada..Yada. Im sorry but I have not seen examples of him "defending" teammates. If we aren't talking about dropping the gloves to send a message, I dont what you are referring to.
Someone else referenced it, he seems content to have a job and goes about it. I actually never connected that he was a 1st round pick. That makes it worse in my mind. I think the guy could do more. I think he could be more impacting. It doesn't have to be a fight, it could be a big hit. Or several regular hits. We dog Giroux tirelessly for "lack of effort". Well I think Laughton is the epitome of that