McLaughlin was the lone standout in my viewings of the Sting, as he frequently made everything happen, controlled the play when he was on the ice, and was the backbone of their transition game. His main impact resulted from doing all the little things that go into being a play-driving centerman, supporting the puck in the defensive zone, winning back possession, and then linking simple plays together to get pucks up ice with control. There was just a high volume of making the right play at the right time to win a zone exit or advance the puck into the offensive zone, adding up to a solid performance. In the games I watched, the Sting didn't generate much offence, but if they did, it most likely stemmed from a successful McLaughlin transition to set up an offensive possession. It may not have been anything highlight-reel worthy, but this two-way centerman profile is highly valuable and makes Johnny a quality player in this years 2025 OHL Draft class.

Leading up to integrating the Canadian '09s into our North American rankings, I've watched quite a bit of Mclaughlin, so his game and skills were fresh in my mind when entering this playoff viewing. Johnny was one of the primary puck possessors on the Sting, controlling play in the neutral zone and ensuring they successfully transitioned into the offensive third with control. When he was carrying the puck, Mclaughlin did a solid job using his body to protect the puck and advance play deep into the offensive zone. While he wasn't successful on these sequences, there were some flashes of him trying to challenge defenders 1-on-1 and attack the middle, showcasing his confidence and ambition to deke his way by defenders.

I didn't notice Johnny much during my viewings of the Sting at the Titans tournament, but he emerged as a player to watch over the showcase weekend. He was one of the leading forwards on the Sting, controlling the play and creating scoring chances. So often, he'd enter the zone with control and connect on passes cross-ice or to the slot, sparking high-quality chances for his linemates. He set up two goals over my viewing: intercepting a pass in the neutral zone and hitting an open teammate in the slot. The second was a very impressive saucer pass to a cutting teammate who tipped home Mclaughlin's pass. His game displayed some flashes of high-end skill as he was incredibly ambitious and successful in dangling and maneuvering his way to the middle of the ice by defenders.