On June 23rd, 2011 the Philadelphia Flyers began a change of the guard that saw the Orange and Black trade away their captain in Mike Richards (Los Angeles Kings) and leading goal scorer in Jeff Carter (Columbus Blue Jackets, later traded to the Kings).

In the two trades, the Flyers acquired center Brayden Schenn (Kings), right winger Wayne Simmonds (Kings), left winger Jakub Voracek (Blue Jackets) along with a first- and third-round pick in the 2011 draft (Sean Couturier) as well as a second-round pick in the 2012 draft (Nick Cousins). It seemed as though the Blue Jackets had simply given up on the then 22-year -old Czceh Republic native who scored 46 points in 80 games the season before the trade.

As a result of the trade that sent Carter to Columbus in exchange for Vorack, the first and third-round picks in the 2011 draft would ultimately backfire upon the Blue Jackets as they would trade away Carter at that year’s trade deadline to the Kings.

While Carter and Richards have won two Stanley Cups since joining the Kings, the Flyers haven’t exactly lost the two trades either as Schenn, Simmonds, and Voracek have shown the skill and talent that the Flyers saw when discussing the trades, especially in Voracek.

Now with his fourth year in Philly, the 25-year old leads the league in points with 56 (17 goals, 39 assists) over 48 games. His NHL points lead, which he has held for most of the season, has been a strong selling point that has led the seven-year veteran to play in his first All-Star game, which is being played in his former home city, Columbus.

In his three seasons in Columbus, Voracek played in 241 games, collecting 39 goals and 95 assists for 134 points. In his four seasons so far with the Flyers, Voracek has eclipsed those numbers as he’s donned the Orange and Black in 256 games, putting up 213 points with 80 goals and 133 assists. Averaging just over half a point per game with Columbus, Voracek has seen that number rise to 0.86 with the Flyers, including a 1.17 points per game average this season. On pace to put up 33 goals and 72 assists this season, Voracek is looking to become the first Flyer since Eric Lindros to put up 100 or more points in a season. Lindros put up 115 points in the 1995-96 season.

The combination of Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek is one of the best in all of hockey this season as the two stars have put up a combined 107 points (33 goals, 74 assists) in the Flyers’ first 48 games. The duo has done its best to keep the Flyers afloat this season; however, a lack of depth on defense as well as struggles in the net have led the Flyers to a disappointing 19-22-7 record so far this season.  

Richards and Carter? Together the two former Flyers have a combined 17 goals and 31 assists for 48 points in the Kings' 47 games this season. Not only has the tandem of Giroux and  Voracek scored 59 more points than Carter and Richards, but both Giroux and Voracek have outscored the Carter/Richards duo by their respective selves.

One major difference that Voracek has made coming into this season was being in shape. Following the Flyers' defeat in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to the New York Rangers, Flyers head coach Craig Berube suggested to Voracek that he should workout more in the offseason and cut some weight.

Voracek appeared to take Berube’s suggestion to heart as the seventh-year veteran showed up to training camp at 214 pounds, ten pounds less than he was last season. The left winger quickly showed Flyers’ management he was in shape in the pre-season, leading to Flyers’ owner Ed Snider telling media that Voracek “has the ability to become a superstar.” Prior to this season, Voracek was already one of the fastest skaters on the Flyers but could not always find the consistency when it came to finesse. Now, ten pounds lighter and in better overall shape, Voracek has found a new level of speed as well as finesse that has helped him become the best scorer in the league thus far.

Ending up in this year’s All-Star game is just part of the plan for Voracek, who works hard everyday to make sure Columbus regrets trading him away. Now that he’s made his first career All-Star Game in his former home, the next steps for Voracek are the Art Ross and Hart trophies. Can he pick up both trophies? The question remains, but if Voracek is able to keep his points lead and help propel the Flyers to an amazing run for the playoffs, there is no doubt Voracek should be taking home both trophies in June.

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Dylan Callaghan-Croley
A college freshman, Dylan is Vavel's Penn State conent manager while also helping with the NHL.