Photo Credit: Shayla Rice
“We don’t seem to have on paper that big superstar or big name guy, but I think as a team we can come together and do some damage. Prove everyone wrong.” – Sean Couturier said to the media at the Flyers Training Center yesterday.
“If we’re going to change the culture I think Torts is the right guy to have in here.. He’s (Torts) going to be hard on me and I’m looking forward to that.” – Kevin Hayes
Both Hayes and Couturier spoke to the media yesterday, and both are excited for the new season to begin or challenges that will come this season under the direction of new Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella. Fortunately, both are 100% and are healthy, as a matter of fact Hayes said that this was the first time in almost two years he was able to train like he wanted to in the offseason. Couturier said he was cleared to play about two weeks ago, and he is embracing Tortorella.
What Couturier and Hayes both bring are a good hockey sense. The Flyers need some leaders to emerge, and both Hayes and Couturier can bring such. Yes, the orange and black are trying to change the culture inside the locker room, fortunately, Couturier and Hayes are integral parts to the solution of such. Both players are huge parts to the overall success of the Flyers, and it’s great to see them finally 100% healthy for once.
Since the return of NHL hockey post pandemic, it’s evident the Flyers have missed the Sean Couturier everyone has come to know. Despite the veteran Center playing injured and not looking particularly amazing while doing so his presence on the ice is something the Flyers desperately lack. The void of his absence became unfillable for this team last season.
Couturier’s ability to control the pace and flow of the game through his hockey IQ, poise, and intelligent positional play on the ice even when not at 100 percent health was sorely missed. Not having him on the ice playing crucial minutes in key situations during games was detrimental to the Flyers as a whole and the team’s lineup. Essentially it sent a displacement through the team’s forward corps, and it filtered all the way down through the lineup.
Without Couturier, the Flyers truly lack a first line Center and his inability to play in all situations leaves the Flyers depth in shambles. If the Flyers had a healthy team it’s certainly plausible that they could have been much more competitive in their prior handful of games towards the latter parts of last season. However, their lack of depth down the middle, arguably one of the most important positions when looking at how a team can effectively sustain puck possession, has been decimated.
The Kevin Hayes Effect
It wasn’t the easiest day/night for Kevin Hayes and his family when he returned back to his hometown in Boston last season following his brother’s passing. He took his nephew Beau, his late brother Jimmy Hayes’s son, for a pre-game skate earlier in the day when he returned to the area. Kevin Hayes believed it was his first practice skate:
As one can imagine this wasn’t the easiest game for him to play, but he did make some nice passes to Zack MacEwen, who was snake bitten by the goal post, or Hayes would have ended with a multi-point game in his reunion of sorts back in Boston.
“It was emotional during warm-ups. It’s awesome coming back here and getting in front of your family and friends. A little emotional.” – Kevin Hayes
Healing and Grieving
After healing from what appeared to be a never ending amount of abdominal procedures, to include a third procedure to drain fluid from his abductor region. Kevin Hayes has somehow managed to play in 48 games last season, while tallying 10 goals and 21 assists. He looked more like his self over the course of the past 20 games or so, and Hayes had that long stride that he used to have when he was completely healthy a few years ago.
Unfortunately, the Flyers have had 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 was no different, and it really took him more than a half to three quarters of the season to finally feel great again.
All In all, Hayes battled through a major injury, and had to grieve unexpectedly over the course of the season. He could have gave up, but he persevered and chugged his way through the grueling season. Here’s hoping both Hayes and Coots can stay healthy for a full season once again, the overall success of the Flyers depends on the health of both players. If they are both able to stay healthy, the Flyers will be a more competitive bunch that is hoping to shock people and be a better/more complete team than most think.
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