Philadelphia Flyers: The First Line
Who Should Be On The First Line? I will discuss who should fill out the Flyers first line this season and why, while listing the possible candidates for each spot.
Mar 17, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers forward Michael Raffl (12) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Left Wing:
Most Likely Options: Brayden Schenn, Michael Raffl
The answer to one of the biggest team needs may already be on the roster. Hextall did not have the cap space to pursue a first line left winger for Giroux and Voracek. The Flyers do not need to panic however as the answer may be #12. Michael Raffl succeeded while playing the wing with Giroux and Voracek last season, but injuries and moving up and down the lineup altered his production.
Raffl filled a void while skating on the top line but Berube liked the versatility he provided and had him move up and down the lineup at center because of his skating ability and understanding of the role. When moved up to the first line as the left wing, Raffl filled the role better than any other player plugged in there, as he created space for his linemates and drove the net hard which helped produce open looks for Giroux and Voracek. He is affective on the forecheck and wins a lot of battles in the corner which helps lead to extended offensive pressure and possession.
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Raffl played in 67 games, adding 21 goals and 7 assists for 28 points. His 21 goals tied him for 23rd in the league in goals out of all left wingers. The league average for shot percentage is 10.4% and Raffl shot at a 15.7% which ranks 9th out of all left wingers last season who attempted 68 shots or more, and Tanner Pearson was the only player of the 8 ahead of Raffl in S% to average less ice time per game, as Pearson averaged 13:17 TOI/GP while Raffl averaged 14:11.
If Dave Hakstol views Raffl as the best fit at first line LW, his speed and willingness to go into the corners and battle infront of the net will help create opportunities on the first line and give Raffl a great opportunity to score 25-30 goals next season.
Apr 5, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) looks on against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Center:
Most Likely Options: Claude Giroux, Vinny Lecavalier*
Two words, Claude Giroux. This is a no brainer for Dave Hakstol. Giroux averages 1.02 points per game over the last five seasons and 0.91 for his career. He is the obvious choice to center the first line and we do not need to discuss this long, so I will just name some quick and interesting facts about Giroux to help people appreciate how great he is. Over the past five seasons no player in the NHL has as many points as Giroux’s 376 points.
The next closest player is Alex Ovechkin who is 10 points behind with 366 points and third is Steven Stamkos who has 357 points. In the last four seasons, Giroux has the most points with 300 followed by Evgeni Malkin and his 284 points. Lastly, Giroux has finished inside the top 10 players in assists each of the last five seasons.
*I’m joking about the Lecavalier part. He’s terrible.
Apr 1, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek (93) skates with the puck as Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) defend during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Right Wing:
Most Likely Options: Jakub Voracek, Wayne Simmonds
The decision here is either Wayne Simmonds or Jakub Voracek. Hakstol will have to decide if he wants to keep Voracek on the wing with Giroux to display the strong chemistry they have developed, or split up the two stars to help the production from the second line. Berube split up the stars late in the season last year and it seemed to help bring more offense to the second line but I like the chemistry the two have and Voracek is an elite first line player who I rather see play first line right wing.
Voracek should, and most likely will, be the opening night right winger alongside Raffl and Giroux. Voracek has played extremely well in his four seasons in Philadelphia especially last season when he tallied 81 points in 82 games. He is in the last year of his contract and the added motivation will only make this passionate player well… more passionate. He will not need any extra motivation after competing for the scoring title right until the last game of the season, but a contract year can only help.
Voracek is 10th in the NHL in scoring the last three season with 189 points and he’s still only 25 and will have another great season right before collecting a nice raise from his 4-year, $17 million deal. He will be paid like an elite first line winger and will likely be making $8 million annually starting in 2016-2017, let’s just hope it is for the Flyers alongside Giroux to help lead the offense for years to come while the defense is overtaken by the young defensive prospects waiting in the wings.
Projected First Line: Michael Raffl – Claude Giroux – Jakub Voracek
Next: Reviewing Where The Flyers Fit in the Division