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Hayes: Jake Voracek is now Dave Hakstol's dilemma

    by Marcus Hayes
    Published 
It is the sort of complex problem that tests the abilities of any head coach, much less a rookie. How he handles it could determine the Flyers’ playoff fate.
Dave Hakstol hasn’t handled anything badly yet.
His team is playing its best hockey of the year. It has earned 13 of a possible 16 points in the last eight games as it chases the Penguins and Red Wings for the last playoff spot in the East.
It is executing his system with commitment. It is getting fine goaltending from two capable goalies, without controversy. Its transcendent rookie defenseman, Shayne Gostisbehere, continues to produce and improve.
Here, things get tricky.
Skilled forward Sam Gagner has five goals and seven points in his last 10 games. He also has improved his two-way play. There was plenty of room for improvement. Gagner had two goals and four points in his first 28 games and struggled defensively. He was the closest thing to a disgruntled player on the team, and, when a roster crunch developed, it was he who was sent to the minors for a month. 
Most of Gagner’s improvement has coincided with the absence of star wing Jake Voracek, which made Hakstol’s job easier.
It was Voracek who, 2 weeks ago, said the Flyers needed to come out of a six-game homestand with at least 10 points. They did, even though they lost him in the first game of the homestand to a foot injury. Voracek’s 47 points and 38 assists both are second on the team, as are his 19 power-play assists. Voracek is a big body and a leader, meshing nicely with captain Claude Giroux and fellow assistant Wayne Simmonds.
He said today that he would not be available, Tuesday, or, likely, Wednesday either. Saturday, though, Hakstol has to re-insert him … doesn’t he?
If Gagner had not suddenly become so productive Hakstol’s decision would have been easier.
Now, the idea of sitting Ryan White comes into play … but to what end? If the idea is to preserve chemistry, then Gagner’s spot on the second line would seemingly remain his, and Voracek would become a fourth-liner. Would that make sense?
What about sitting Chris VandeVelde? You would lose a strong forechecker on that fourth line, even if you add more talent in the person of, say, Michael Raffl, who has 11 points in his last 15 games.
How about Scott Laughton? He’s a plus-6 in the last 11 games.
What if Voracek can play Saturday, but he is limited? Would they be better off letting Voracek mend more completely, then target the four-game, six-day road trip next week? 
It is a delightfully delicate situation: a team that has found its stride, without its No. 2 player, who might be less than 100 percent, at a point in the season when every minute of ice time matters.
The matter very well could work itself out by Saturday. Guys slump. Guys get hurt. Spots open up.
Then again, the team might be riding higher than ever.
In a year full of revelations – Hakstol managed a touchy goalie situation, benched decorated veterans and stood by slumping stars – how he handles Voracek’s return will reveal even more. 
    MH
    Marcus Hayes
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