Is Flyers' Voracek on verge of stardom?

ORLEANS, Mass. - Ed Snider thinks right winger Jake Voracek is on the verge of NHL stardom.

"This kid," Snider said early in training camp, "has a chance to be a superstar."

Is the Flyers' chairman, mindful that Voracek was part of the package the Flyers acquired in 2011 for scoring machine Jeff Carter, overdosing on hyperbole? Or is the 25-year-old Voracek, coming off the best season of his six-year career, ready to take the next step in his development?

Relayed Snider's comments, Voracek smiled.

"I read about it on Twitter," Voracek said. "It's a good thing to hear. It's nice that the owner of the organization has such a belief in me, and I'm going to do everything I can to make it happen."

Voracek, selected by Columbus in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2007 draft, finished second on the Flyers with 62 points last season; he set career highs in points and goals (23).

"I've always been a guy who goes game by game, process by process," said Voracek, who grew up in the Czech Republic and idolized his fellow countryman (and, later, his teammate), Jaromir Jagr. "I have to play my best hockey, and I feel I can be better each game - especially this year, I feel pretty good so far."

In the offseason, the good-natured Voracek went on a strict diet - "no carbs," he said - and lost 10 pounds in an attempt to increase his quickness. Even before he got leaner, the 6-foot-2, 204-pound Voracek had been one of the team's fastest players.

"I'm quicker, so I can get out of trouble faster than I used to," he said. "Everyone in the league is getting faster and faster, so you want to be faster. I have a little bit of reserve [speed] now. I really worked hard over the summer, and I knew if I dropped a few pounds it would help me."

Because of a back injury in training camp last year, Voracek played in just a couple preseason games, and it contributed to his slow start. He didn't score a goal until his 10th game, and had just four points in the first 15 games.

"And then I got going," Voracek said. "If I can have a good start from Game 1, who knows?"

Does he think he has the potential to collect, say, 30 goals and 80 points?

"I think I have that in me," he said. "The last three seasons here, I felt great. Every single season I got better and better. With me, it's about consistency."

When Penguins stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have poor games, Voracek said, "they still find a way to put up points and score the big goals. I think that's what separates those leading scorers from the other ones. Even if they don't feel good or play as well as they want to, they always find a way to produce."

That, he said, is something he wants to emulate.

Voracek said there are "so many things I can get better at, and I'm trying to get better on and off the ice. I want to play like every game is my last one."

Voracek is still the right winger for center Claude Giroux, but they have a new linemate: Left winger Brayden Schenn has replaced Scott Hartnell, who was dealt to Columbus.

"I wouldn't say it changes my game at all," Voracek said. "We have to find that chemistry. I've played with Schenner before, so I know what kind of player he is and where he's going to be, and where the puck is going to go from him, which is good for the future."

Is it time to stop talking potential with the Flyers' Jake Voracek? His owner thinks he's headed for stardom as his offensive production picks up each season. Here are his career statistics.

Team   GP   G   A   Points   PPG

Blue Jackets   80   9   29   38   0

Blue Jackets   81   16   34   50   4

Blue Jackets   80   14   32   46   2

FLYERS   78   18   31   49   0

FLYERS   48*   22   24   46   8

FLYERS   82   23   39   62   8

Totals   449   102   189   291   22   

*–48-game, lockout-shortened seasonEndText