No one wants a repeat of last season. Hextall has already publically stated an expectation that the Philadelphia Flyers should be a playoff team. The hiring of Dave Hakstol brings it with the promise of change for the better, but sometimes it’s simply a matter of the players playing better of their own volition.
The other day, our own Wes Herrmann considered the probability of a comeback season for RJ Umberger. I agree 100% with his diagnosis that Vincent Lecavalier, Matt Read and Andrew MacDonald need to improve this season. The good news for each of these players is that new coach Dave Hakstol has pledged that every player will be given a clean slate, so these players can put last season’s disappointments behind them.