24. Peter Horachek is back in Fort Lauderdale, recovering from having both knees replaced. Like Hodgson, he’s working to forget the disappointment of 2014-15, and looking forward to new challenges somewhere else.
“I can’t tell you how many people have said to me, ‘This will be a great year for you.’ They told me to take some time away, do something I’ve never done before, think back, learn from it and move on.†he said.
He’s still under contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs so he has time. In addition to the surgery, he’s planning a Christmas trip with his wife — something he hasn’t had the opportunity to do.
What would he do over if he could?
“What I learned was you have to spend more time trying to communicate with the rest of the organization on what our short-term and long-term goals are. Where are we going and how do we plan to get there? Mike Babcock has a plan. He knows where he wants to be in three weeks, where he wants to be in four-to-five years. What I would do differently is spend more time with Randy [Carlyle], Dave [Nonis], [Brendan] Shanahan, Kyle [Dubas] asking, ‘What is our expectation with these players?’ Spend more time trying to define our identity. Force that out of the situation.â€
25. Asked who really impressed him in a difficult season, Horachek named three players.
“Roman Polak and Stephane Robidas. Total pros. No matter what happened, gave their best … Daniel Winnik. He surprised me. Very reliable player.â€
Polak didn’t dress the first two games and Robidas is off the roster. Winnik is back and scored a big goal versus the Ottawa Senators. Who is going to step up and set the example?
