Photo taken by Jamey Baskow after practice on Monday.
The definition of a leader as defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary is, “Something that leads.” Jakub Voracek continues to be that guy, while playing well Defensively.
Much has been made about Voracek being lazy, or committing wild turnovers from cross ice passes in the past. However, Voracek has taken his game to another level within the past two months or so, and he has answered the bell to Alain Vigneault’s calling.
Since November 23, 2019 (About two months ago from today), Voracek has registered six goals, and 19 assists in 28 games played. Talk about taking his game to another level. Oh yea, he’s a plus 14 during this span, as well. Simply put, Voracek has produced, and is leading by example. Moreover, Voracek is on pace for another 60 or more point season, which would be his fourth straight year of doing such. It’s not easy to replace this type of production for a team that might need a top six Forward in the future.
Voracek has become committed to playing well Defensively, “I’ve been playing well Defensively,” Voracek said after practice on Monday, “I’ve been working on it a lot during the season. I’m trying to play good defensively, and I know if I stuck with it my game would come around eventually.” This is great to hear from a player like Voracek. Reading between the lines of this quote, it appears producing isn’t just about the points that Voracek puts up on the stat sheet, rather he can produce by playing sound Defense.
This is a new Jake in 2020. He really has become a leader, as his Defense continues to help him produce, “I think I’ve been playing better for more than a month,” Voracek said laughing, “The first 15 or 20 games I was a little sluggish, I agree, since then I’ve been playing well Defensively.”
Jake has skated well for the past few months, as he continues to back check on most plays. Take a look at last night’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Voracek picked off at least four passes, and it lead to the first goal of the night for the Flyers. Some say trade Voracek, however, who else on this roster as constructed would replace Voracek’s production if he indeed did get traded? It can’t just be Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny, or even Claude Giroux. Without Voracek’s production right now, imagine where the Flyers would be…they would be in the dumps. Moreover, Voracek has played well defensively, and that cannot be taken for granted. He is skating his rear end off, as Voracek continues to lead by example on and off the ice.
Voracek has become a leader this young Flyers team has craved for the past few seasons. He is leading by example right now, as Voracek is committed to playing a two-way game.
