Photo Credit: The Flyers
Kevin Hayes is giddy, fun, and a class act to be around, unfortunately he won’t miss his second straight game tonight with an unknown injury. Flyers Head Coach Alain Vigneault does not know if the injury is correlated with his previous abdominal surgeries, rather he said he would know more in a few days, as opposed to speculating.
On the surface this does not sound promising as it has been 48 hours since Hayes was ruled out of Thursday’s game. It’s easy to overanalyze the situation, but being worried about whatever injury he’s dealing with is understandable. In actuality the Flyers should be very concerned about this situation with Hayes.
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, 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.
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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 following his first game of the season on Tuesday night. “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.
