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Flyers position preview: Left wing now a strength with Claude Giroux, James van Riemsdyk, others

Other than Claude Giroux, the Flyers did not get much production from their left wingers last season. That should change this year.

Flyers left winger Claude Giroux skates against the New York Islanders in a preseason game Monday, Giroux is coming off a career-best 102-point season.
Flyers left winger Claude Giroux skates against the New York Islanders in a preseason game Monday, Giroux is coming off a career-best 102-point season.Read moreYONG KIM

Second in a series looking at the Flyers' depth at each position. The first was on centers.

Despite Claude Giroux's gaudy numbers, left wing was one of the Flyers' weakest positions last season.

Improvement is on the way.

James van Riemsdyk, coming off a 36-goal season with Toronto, was signed as a free agent.

Oskar Lindblom, who had just two goals in 23 games with the Flyers last season, looks ready to blossom into a dependable scorer. He's penciled in as the third-line left winger.

The fourth-line left-winger spot is up for grabs. It could be Scott Laughton or Jordan Weal, each of whom is also in contention for a center spot. It could be speedy Taylor Leier or Michael Raffl, though the latter will probably play the right side on the fourth line.

Looking for a darkhorse? Try rookie Carsen Twarynski, who has had a terrific training camp and has an extremely bright future.

Here are the Flyers' potential left wingers with four games left in the preseason:

Claude Giroux (5-foot-11, 185 pounds): The Flyers captain made a stunningly smooth transition from center to left wing last season and produced 34 goals and 68 assists. He became the 11th player in NHL history to reach 100 points for the first time at age 30 or older. Giroux figures to be on the No. 1 line, alongside Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny.

James van Riemsdyk (6-3, 217): During the preseason, the player they call JVR has developed good chemistry with Nolan Patrick and Jake Voracek, and that should be the No. 2 unit. Van Riemsdyk not only will make the second line much better but he also will greatly improve the team's power play, giving it more balance and two dangerous units.

Oskar Lindblom (6-1, 191): He said Sunday he wasn't thinking about personal goals and was just working hard to earn a roster spot. That seems like a given, with Lindblom expected to be on a third line that could include Mikhail Vorobyev and Wayne Simmonds. A 15- to 20-goal season for the winger isn't unrealistic.

Scott Laughton (6-1, 191): Laughton has played both wing and center in training camp and has looked comfortable at both positions. With another season under Laughton's belt, the Flyers are looking for his scoring touch to improve. He scored 10 goals last season.

Jordan Weal (5-10, 179): Like Laughton, Weal has had a solid camp and can play center or wing. He has good speed, creates lots of scoring chances, and has a decent chance to be a regular on one of the bottom two lines.

Michael Raffl (6-0, 200): The 29-year-old Austrian had 13 goals last season and was plus-9. He will probably start the season as the fourth-line right winger, but he can also play the left side. Raffl is a responsible defensive player who had a career-best 21 goals in 2014-15.

Taylor Leier (5-11, 184):  One of the fastest Flyers, Leier (one goal in 39 games last season) would see time on the penalty kill if he earns a roster spot. If he doesn't earn a fourth-line spot, he might make the team as an extra player.

Carsen Twarynski (6-2, 198): On Sunday, Flyers GM Ron Hextall called the 20-year-old Twarynski, who can play either wing, the most pleasant surprise in camp. A good scorer and extremely physical player, Twarynski netted 45 goals in the Western Hockey League last season, and he will play for the Phantoms if he doesn't make the Flyers. Hextall said Twarynski is making it difficult for the Flyers to trim him from the roster.