Slowed by a miserable start last year, Jake Voracek's production went down from the previous season. Way down.
But the free-spirited Flyers right winger, whose off-key singing of "Born to Run" at a Bruce Springsteen concert this summer went viral on Twitter - enters his ninth NHL year in an upbeat mood. Way upbeat.
And why not? After getting a head start by playing for the Czech Republic in the World Cup, he is coming off an outstanding preseason, one in which his new line was dominating.
"He looks," coach Dave Hakstol said, "like he's in midseason form.