The addition of Hayes was a missing glue piece that the Flyers lacked until 2019-20. For his efforts, the team became a legit threat in the East Division before the season began, and contenders for once. Hayes has been remarkable with Nolan Patrick too, “Haysey was a guy who helped me out a lot throughout my injury and tough times and obviously TK as well,” Patrick said during the season following practice, “The whole team has supported me a lot. It was obviously extremely exciting to be back after everything I have been through. It was really fun.”
There is a reason Kevin Hayes gets an “A” for Alternate Captain on his jersey. Hayes has provided instrumental leadership for the younger players. Time and time again he says the right things, does the right things, and helps the youth off the ice.
As good as Kevin Hayes was in 2019-20 for the orange and black. One could sense something was off about Hayes this past season, and I wrote an article on such during the season. Hayes just had successful sports hernia surgery last week, and the surgery was performed by Dr. William Meyers. His expected time of recovery is five weeks, per the Flyers.
It would have been more beneficial for Hayes to get the surgery when the Flyers were out of the playoffs. Instead he wanted to to be a soldier, and suck it up until after the season. What this did was delay the inevitable which was obviously surgery, in a shortened off season to train. As opposed being able to train for two-three months before the season begins, now Hayes may only get to train for about a month by the time he’s fully recovered.
With the Flyers recent history with sports hernia procedures, should the Flyers be worried about his recovery? Absolutely they should, 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, in a shortened offseason due to Covid Flyers fans should not expect Hayes to excel right out of the gate.
The Flyers should be worried about production for the upcoming 2021-22 season, thus obtaining a third line Center in free agency or via trade now becomes that more imperative to obtain. Hayes made careless mistakes with the puck, as he was seen doing these behind the back passes to no Flyer around, thus the puck went the other way for a 2-on-1 odd man rush more often than not. In addition, the big plays or highlight reels involving Hayes didn’t happen as often last year for Hayes. He just didn’t have that powerful stride like he did in 2019-20.
This article is not a roasting of Hayes, but he is a leader in the locker room and a voice for this young Flyers team that had an average age of 27-years-old in 2021. Expectations should be low of Hayes to produce right out of the gate of an all important 2021-22 season.
Hayes and Vigneault developed a good relationship and one that rubbed off on the locker room. Hayes has helped with this group of Flyers to better understand Vigneault’s system. Hopefully the Hayes of old returns earlier than reasonably expected next season.
