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Philadelphia Flyers preview: James van Riemsdyk revamps lethal offense

By Dave Stevenson

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 07: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates one of his two second period goals against the New York Rangers with Shayne Gostisbehere #53 and Sean Couturier #14 on April 7, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 07: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates one of his two second period goals against the New York Rangers with Shayne Gostisbehere #53 and Sean Couturier #14 on April 7, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

The Philadelphia Flyers already had a great offense. However, the addition of James van Riemsdyk this summer makes their offense downright lethal and should turn them into Stanley Cup contenders.

Last season was a roller coaster ride for the Philadelphia Flyers. At one point, they lost 10 consecutive games. But the Flyers still wound up making the postseason on the final day of the season, though they got eliminated by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The addition of James van Riemsdyk should make them even better.

Philly has always been a top-heavy team. So perhaps it’s appropriate that their first forward line led them last season. Claude Giroux was in the Hart Trophy race, posting over 100 points for the first time in his career. Sean Couturier was a Selke Trophy finalist and even scored a hat trick in the playoffs with a torn MCL.

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The addition of JVR fills out their top six, giving them one of the most efficient units on paper in the NHL. Especially if Nolan Patrick is close to the second half Patrick fans saw last season. Their defense isn’t too shabby either with Shayne Gostisbehere and Ivan Provorov leading the way.

Offseason Recap

Additions: F James van Riemsdyk, D Christian Folin

It was a sort of quiet offseason for the Flyers other than the first day of free agency. It’s kind of awesome seeing van Riemsdyk return to Philadelphia, who never should have traded him in the first place. JVR comes back far more mature and is a better player than he was when he was traded for Luke Schenn.

Folin is a sort of quiet addition but should serve as a quality depth defenseman for the Flyers. I’m a bit baffled why they didn’t pursue a third-line center given their unimpressive internal options, but the Flyers certainly have options there.

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