After the disappointment of the 2013–14 season, Hartmann renewed his contract with the Capitals for a fourth season as player-coach, with the promise that the team would be competitive in the future. During the offseason, the club would proceed with a clear out of the roster and implement a new hybrid style of play, with half the team's import players being from Europe and the other half from North America. The only import players to return for the 2014–15 season would be goalie, Tomáš Hiadlovský, and newly promoted captain, Jade Portwood. Both players would be in their third season with the club. Former Elite League all-star, René Jarolín, would also re-join after spending a season back in Slovakia.