(Kevin Durso/Sports Talk Philly)
By Jeff Quake, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
Over the past few years, the Flyers have been an average team, making the playoffs in 2012, 2014, and 2016 while missing the cut in 2013, and 2015. One key factor for that reason is simple. Take a close look at the top two lines during each of those years.
During one of the more consistent, and dominant seasons in recent memory, the 2012 Flyers top wingers included Scott Hartnell and Jaromir Jagr. In 2014 and 2016, Wayne Simmonds and Jake Voracek were some of the Flyers top wingers during those playoff seasons, but the question remains the same: Is there another top winger that the Flyers have?
Yes, both Simmonds and Voracek are good players. However, there still needs to be one more player to take pressure off of those two in order for them to produce more. Sure they have plenty of centers, but they don’t have any natural born wingers that fit the criteria of a top-six winger.
This is where 2014 fifth-round pick Oskar Lindblom comes into place.
The 20-year-old was one of the best forwards in the Swedish Hockey League this past season. The SHL is one of the toughest leagues to play in. Just like the KHL, Lindblom had been playing against men far stronger and better players. He was second in the league with 22 regular-season goals, and fourth with 47 total points. His 14 points during the playoffs was also good for fourth in the league.
So the next question is where exactly does Lindblom fit with Philadelphia? Lindblom has the potential to be a top-six forward, and could end up being on a line with Simmonds, while being centered by the second overall draft pick Nolan Patrick.
Once training camp begins, Dave Hakstol can take a look to see where Lindblom really belongs in the lineup. It seems expected at this point that Lindblom will be in the opening night lineup against the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 4.
With the most likely new addition of Lindblom, and possibly Patrick if he should make the team as well, the Flyers offense should still be in much better shape despite losing Brayden Schenn, who scored 25 goals including 17 on the power play, in a trade to acquire the 27th overall pick and Jori Lehtera from St. Louis.
Those additions to the offense are only the tip of the iceberg. The defense will be improved over last year's with the possible additions of either Sam Morin or Robert Hagg. The Flyers also added Brian Elliott on a two-year contract, which helps Philadelphia in the departure of Steve Mason.
Overall, the 2017-18 season is shaping up to be an exciting year for the Flyers, but only time will tell once the puck drops in October.
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