Moving Voracek Around the Lineup Nothing to Be Le-Cavalier About

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When you think of things that worked for the Flyers on the ice last season, pairing Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek together on the top line should be right at the top of the list. Voracek helped jump start Giroux’s campaign when the captain got off to a slow start, while G helped his right wing realize renewed potential as a scorer.

They seemed like such a logical fit together, it was difficult to understand why head coach Peter Laviolette didn’t try it sooner – or from day one for that matter.

Whatever the reason for the delay, at least now we know that it works. Giroux posted three goals and seven assists through the first 16 games of 2013. Voracek had three scores and eight helpers over the same span. Once the two of them joined forces however, Giroux picked up the pace with 10 and 28 over the final 32 games, while Voracek erupted for 19 and 16.

And that was with a revolving door on the left side. Imagine the numbers they could rack up over a full season, especially were Scott Hartnell able to locate his stroke again, or if somebody else could fill the void.

Keep on imagining, because you might not see it all that much. When the Flyers signed Vinny Lecavalier last week, it was widely assumed he was brought here to replace Danny Briere as the second-line center. It turns out the team might be interested in having him play right wing though, specifically on Giroux’s line. Lecavalier discussed the possibility in a conference call with reporters over the weekend.

Lecavalier said he would be “very comfortable” on right wing and admitted he was asked about that by Laviolette in their meeting. The Flyers need scoring on the right side and once again have a log jam of centers.

Lecavalier said he would love to play right wing on Claude Giroux’s line. That’s a problem because Jakub Voracek on the right side was an outstanding fit for the Flyers last season, when he scored 22 goals and was second to Giroux (48 points) in total points with 46.

“If you watch me in a game, if I have a choice of going on the left side with the puck or right side, I choose, 99 percent of time, going on the right side,” said Lecavalier, who is a left-handed shot.

“It’s not something I really worry about, especially after being told you might play with Claude Giroux. I’m open to that and would be excited for that.

“I would be very comfortable [there]. That is something they asked me at the meeting if I could play wing and I said, certainly. I’m a lot more comfortable on the right wing than on the off-wing.”

This is exactly the type of situation that some feared when Lecavalier was signed, only we thought Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier were the ones at risk of being pushed down the lineup and/or having their positions changed. Instead it seems Voracek could be forced to slide over to the left, or change lines altogether.

Granted coaches switch up their lines from time to time, and there’s a chance at some point over an 82-game season Giroux and Voracek may have been splitsville as part of some type of shakeup. Why are the Flyers already considering messing with that chemistry now though, in July?

Maybe all of this is much ado about nothing. Maybe Voracek could excel just as easily on Giroux’s left. Maybe it’s the Flyers’ brain trust doing their due diligence and figuring out what Lecavalier is comfortable with before signing him. Regardless, it’s a curious development as we ponder where Lecavalier fits with the Orange & Black.

>> Lecavalier chose Flyers before an offer was made [CSN]

Andrew Kulp is a freelance writer covering Philadelphia sports for The700Level.com. E-mail him at andrewkulp@comcast.net or follow him on Twitter.

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