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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 /

Projected Lineup

Here’s how the Philadelphia Flyers should look this season.

Forwards

Claude Giroux – Sean Couturier – Travis Konecny

James van Riemsdyk – Nolan Patrick – Jakub Voracek

Oskar Lindblom – Scott Laughton – Wayne Simmonds

Michael Raffl – Mikhail Vorobyev – Jordan Weal

Extra forward: Jori Lehtera

Their top line is one of the best in the NHL. In about 400 minutes at five-on-five together, they were flat out dominant. Konecny adds his unique element of offense to an already great duo. He could be on the verge of a breakout season.

Speaking of breakout seasons, Patrick is on pace for one after an impressive second half. After posting just nine points in 40 games before the All-Star break, he put up 21 points after it. Voracek is one of the best producers in the league and JVR gives the line a lethal goal scorer.

Their third line is a bit of a question mark, mostly because no one knows who the center will be. Laughton will likely get first dibs on the job, though rookie Mikhail Vorobyev, who has made it very hard for the Flyers to send him down, might grab it eventually.

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Defensemen

Ivan Provorov – Shayne Gostisbehere

Travis Sanheim – Radko Gudas

Andrew MacDonald – Robert Hagg

Extra defenseman: Christian Folin

The Flyers have a great top pairing and a not so great other two pairings. Though I’m curious how Sanheim would do with Gudas, as the two seem to cover for the other’s weaknesses.

Goalies

Brian Elliott

Michal Neuvirth

Carter Hart

Neuvirth is injured, which could make things really interesting if he’s not ready for the regular season. Will the Flyers have Hart, their top goaltending prospect, up in the NHL to start the season if that happens?

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