Jake Voracek – ‘I’m Getting Paid to Produce and I’m Not Doing That’

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Jake Voracek is still joking around.

He hasn’t scored in 13 games this season and, in his words, “it’s kind of getting ridiculous.”

Heading into Friday’s action he was tied for eighth in the league in shots with 50. Every player ahead of him had at least three goals. The Flyers are the second-worst team in the league in terms of goals scored per game and Voracek’s line is supposed to be producing.

“In the end, I’m getting paid a lot of money and eating up a lot of minutes to produce for the team and (I'm not doing) that this year,” said Voracek, who has four assists. “I know nobody gives a damn about what I’m going through. I’ve got to find a way. I’m a professional.”

Friday after practice, the Czech star had a smile on his face and was cracking one-liners, even if it was in self-deprecation. Only a few days ago coach Dave Hakstol noticed the frustration in Voracek, among others.

“I didn’t sense it (Thursday in a 2-1 overtime loss to Calgary),” Hakstol said. “I thought he was moving, playing and there was a little bit of fun back in the game. Not all the way back, but a little bit of fun back in the game for him.”

Back East, the Toronto Maple Leafs are struggling, too. Nazem Kadri has one goal on the season, but none in his last eight games. Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock used Voracek as a poster child for getting out of a slump.

“I notice there's a real good player in Philly who has no goals,” Babcock told reporters Friday, “I bet he has just about the same that (he always has) at the end."