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Kevin Hayes is giddy, fun, and a class act to be around, “I felt alright,” Hayes said after playing in his first game this season. “I felt pretty good with the puck honestly. Speed was a little fast.”
After healing from his second abdominal procedure this year. Kevin Hayes finally played in his first game of the season last night (After missing all of training camp). This was not the same injury that eventually got repaired this past June. There was some confusion about this, and I wanted to make certain every Flyers fan knew of this situation properly.
Unfortunately, the Flyers have a history with sports hernia surgeries, Claude Giroux and Shayne Gostisbehere (Ghost) both had the same procedure done before the start of the 2016-17 season. Giroux posted 58 points (14 goals, 44 assists), and Ghost posted 39 points (7 goals, 32 assists). In addition, Brian Elliott also had the same procedure done a few years ago, and the Flyers wound up using eight different netminders in 2018-19, not to mention Nolan Patrick also had two sports hernia procedures completed, as well.
What did all players mentioned have in common after having this sports hernia surgery? Well, each player started off slow, and some did not play particularly well the following season. Hayes said it was a “Minor surgery” at exit interviews, to which it may have been. However, Flyers fans should not expect Hayes to excel right out of the gate, even though he registered an assist in 14:52 of ice time. Hayes was 3-9 on faceoffs, which he could be hindered from his abdominal procedures, or it could be timing. Either way, do not expect excellence for the first five to ten games.
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The Flyers should be worried about production for the upcoming 2021-22 season, thus obtaining Derick Brassard sort of became a saving grace.
Hayes just didn’t have that powerful stride like he did in 2019-20 last season. This doesn’t mean he won’t find it this season, “I haven’t play a game in months, five, six months,” Hayes said. “Gotta get used to it, obviously. First game back. I’ve got to get my jump & get back into hockey shape, game shape.
Ryan Ellis
Ellis played in his first game since October 20, 2021, after missing the last nine games. He recorded an assist, and had two shots on net. Ellis even played with Ivan Provorov to start the third period, while logging 18:45 of ice time.
