Photo Credit: Zack Hill
Kevin Hayes is giddy, fun, and a class act to be around, unfortunately he underwent a medical procedure earlier today on his “Abductor Region” , where the surgeon drained fluid from that particular region. Hayes is now expected to miss 3-4 weeks.
On the surface this does not sound promising. It’s easy to overanalyze the situation, but being worried about this injury is understandable. He now has undergone three procedures in less than a year in relation to this abdominal injury. In actuality the Flyers should be very concerned about this situation with Hayes.
Should the Flyers shut him down for the rest of the season? Possibly, as this season has the billing to be far worse than last season. Maybe it’s best for him to fully recover with shutting him down, as there will only be two months to the season left when he is scheduled to return. The Flyers should consider this, but they probably won’t especially with the way Mike Yeo talked before the game tonight:
“Kevin knew this was going to happen yesterday and he still went into New York and played the game for us, which I think says a lot about him. But he was in good spirits. He expects to be back here. I’m not exactly sure what the timeline is, but I know that he’s very optimistic that he can be back even before that timeline says.” – Mike Yeo
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, some did not play particularly well the following season, in some required multiple surgeries to fully heal. Hayes said it was a “Minor surgery” at exit interviews, to which it may have been. However, he had another abdominal procedure during Flyers Training Camp.
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 following his first game of the season. “Gotta get used to it, obviously. First game back. I’ve got to get my jump & get back into hockey shape, game shape.” Hopefully for Hayes that’s sooner rather than later.
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