The Curious Case of Flyers Forward Kevin Hayes

Photo Courtesy of, Mitchell Leff, Getty Images

In a week full of major storylines surrounding the Philadelphia Flyers one of the biggest is the healthy scratching of Kevin Hayes. The Flyers took on the Rangers, Hayes’ former team Saturday evening. Typically, when a player faces off against a team he played for in the past that would be a game most look forward to. Despite that, Head Coach John Tortorella decided to scratch the Veteran Center turned winger. Likely in an effort to let Hayes know his current play hasn’t been meeting Tortorella’s standard of what he expects the player can provide. On top of that the coach is doing this in an attempt to get more out of Hayes moving ahead in regards to his play. 

Tortorella’s Perspective

Putting all the information into consideration Tortorella scratched Hayes due to the accountability he believes he must hold with his players. Not to mention the standard that he is expecting. It’s evident in this case there’s been a back and forth before it’s gotten to this point of a healthy scratch. With prior benchings as likely warnings of what could come if certain things within Hayes’ game were not adjusted.

When taking a step back to put all the pieces into view, it’s not necessarily all about Hayes. Instead it’s the example Tortorella is looking to set for his younger players. Along with the habits he wants to build within their games. Allowing Hayes to get by without meeting the level of play Tortorella expects his players to abide by defensively would be a detriment to what the coach is attempting to build in Philadelphia.

If Tortorella let’s Hayes, a veteran player, continue to pile up the minutes without any consequences while he turns the puck over in avoidable situations or misses coverages in his own end, it leaves Tortorella in a tough situation as the coach. How can Tortorella expect younger players to listen to him and play with the habits and defensive structure he is looking to implement in their games. Especially, if the leading scorer and a veteran player on the team in Hayes continues to get minutes when no repercussions have been thrown his way for making the same mistakes. Letting something like this slide is not in the best interests of Tortorella who is looking to establish a standard of accountability and being responsible defensively on the ice.

Below are some quotes from Head Coach John Tortorella on the situation in general:

“I can’t keep looking by things because we’re worried about scoring. I have to look at the big picture.”

“I have had many conversations with Kevin, prior to this. I don’t want to get into a public debate with Kevin, with you guys, as far as why. It’s one of the things I pride myself on is being honest with a player. I think they deserve the honesty, whether it be good or bad. That is my job is to be honest with them. However Kevin feels about it, I don’t understand his thinking there.”

“I will never lie to a player about anything. When it comes to a scratch – I’m sure you guys think it’s cause of a turnover, the turnover in the middle of the ice. I’m never scratching a player for one mistake. This is where Kevin and I have had those conversations much prior to him missing a game. I’ll leave it at that.”

There are several factors to dissect when assessing the situation and the statements above. The first thing to note is Tortorella’s long term vision on where the Flyers are going from this point. Primarily, development of the younger players on the team is the main focus. That comes with ensuring elements of their game such as play in their own end and away from the puck is meeting a certain level of consistency and isn’t hurting the team. 

Overall, that’s what this Hayes benching is about making sure all players on the team meet that level on a consistent basis. No matter if it’s a top scorer on the team or not. A specific level of play in your own end and away from the puck is a non negotiable for Tortorella. He believes that is something that cannot be compromised if this type of accountability and culture is to be effectively established. 

Another thing to note is that this healthy scratch did not occur without several warnings beforehand. Which likely included conversations Tortorella had with Hayes on his play and what needed to be improved. This wasn’t something out of the blue and it shows that Tortorella is a coach who will give his players chances before he heads this route.

Hayes’ Perspective 

On the other hand, one could argue Tortorella may not be handling the situation correctly. It appears as though Kevin Hayes himself is in that camp. From that particular perspective it’s easy to forget with where the Flyers are in the standings that Hayes is having a career year so far this season. 

He is nearly a point per game player at the moment with 29 points in 32 games played. While also being on pace for the highest point total of his career by a large margin which is 76 points. For reference prior to this season Hayes has only had one 50 plus point season in his 9 year NHL career (55 pts with NYR in 2018-19)

Along with that, Hayes has played a 1st line role majority of this season and has averaged 18 minutes and 50 seconds of ice time per game. Usually, Hayes would be a 2nd or even 3rd line option and has played that type of role for the Flyers since his signing. The fact the veteran Center has produced such results so far this season in terms of offensive production is a tall ask for the player. Hayes has not only stepped up offensively, he’s also had to play against top lines consistently in relation to on ice matchups this season. 

Essentially, how much is too much when looking at what Tortorella is asking of Hayes and what he’s been able to provide for the Flyers this season. It’s clear that he’s been playing well over his head in regards to the level of competition he usually would play against. While doing a good job producing offense even in those circumstances.

Below is a quote from Kevin Hayes on his thoughts about the situation:

“I’m never going to say there’s a benefit to being benched. I’m sorry. I don’t think I should have been benched, but it’s not my decision. He’s the coach. I’m a player. He makes the lineup. He wants the best team on the ice to ultimately win and that’s what he went with that night.”

What the above demonstrates is that Hayes is not one who agrees with his benching. Based on the situation at hand he does have a legitimate reason behind his thought process. However, even if Hayes believes he should not have been benched the benching still occurred. Due to several culminating factors John Tortorella expanded on in his Monday press conference. 

Ultimately, no matter what Hayes thinks if he cannot find a way to co-exist with John Tortorella and play the way he is looking for in relation to certain defensive shortcomings then it’s entirely plausible that something like this continues to occur. It should be fascinating to see how Hayes responds in the upcoming handful of games.

What’s The Path Forward?

Considering Hayes and Tortorella’s different outlooks on the situation I’m not sure a definitive path ahead can be outlined at the moment. What makes things so unclear is that it’s possible Hayes responds well to this benching on the ice aside from his comments off them. If that’s the case this is water under the bridge. Where Tortorella gets his wish in Hayes, likely cleaning up some of his defensive shortcomings that have been apparent this season. 

If things happen to go the other way and the two cannot figure out a way to move forward without benchings and healthy scratches being a regularity then there’s a significant possibility the Flyers move on from Hayes. Although, it may be a difficult task to do so and receive back a piece that has any significant value. The main reason being Hayes having 3 years remaining on his contract that has an annual average cap hit of 7.14 million dollars. Not to mention, a modified 12 team no trade list associated with his contract for the next 3 seasons. Both factors would likely make it difficult to move Hayes. 

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Nonetheless, retaining salary is something that can always be done and is likely the route the Flyers would have to go in such a situation. Doing so would be more beneficial than a buyout because that would essentially mean Hayes’ contract remains on the Flyers books for the next 6 seasons instead of 3. No matter what ends up occurring throughout this scenario, doing what’s best for the future of the Flyers franchise needs to be the focus of the management staff.