PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Kevin Hayes #13 of the Philadelphia Flyers reacts after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers in the third period at the Wells Fargo Center on December 23, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Rangers 5-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Date Published: 12-21-2022
Photo Credit: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Kevin Hayes is a big bodied Center, as he stands at 6’5,” and weighs 220 pounds. He has provided much-needed size down the middle for the Flyers, and Hayes is also versatile. Hayes can play the Wing and the Penalty Kill. He has played as a left winger, right winger, and center this season. In addition, John Tortorella has thrown him on lines 1-3 at different times, and he just excels wherever he is placed within the lineup. Hayes is a legit scoring threat this season, a season in which he has helped the Flyers immensely. Better yet, Hayes seems to be doing everything right offensively as he leads the team with 29 points in 30 games played (9g, 20a).
His most important attribute for this young orange and black club are his play driving skills. All of that is great, but he was benched on Saturday night against the New York Rangers for not playing the right way, “It was my call,” John Tortorella said after the game. Hayes was not happy about the benching, even so much so his best friend and former Flyer Keith Yandle acted like a sound board for Hayes this past Saturday:
“I don’t think anyone enjoys being scratched. I wasn’t happy, but it’s not my decision.” – Kevin Hayes
“I’m never going to say there’s a benefit to being benched,” Hayes continues. “I don’t think I should have been benched, but it’s not my decision. He’s the coach. I’m the player. He makes the lineup. He wants the best team on the ice to ultimately win, and that’s what he wanted that night.”
Tortorella benched most notably Travis Konecny and Rasmus Ristolainen for not playing the right way, and they took it on the chin. However, Hayes appears to still be mad about it. This is not good or the right time to have a rift between coach and player.
Hayes was not in the dog house like some previously thought with the way he has been utilized this season. Tortorella just needs to find balance and chemistry with his lines, so he places Hayes where there might be a weakness:
“Everybody thinks Kevin’s in the doghouse. Kevin isn’t in the doghouse. Kevin needs to learn to play the right way, and I think he’s trying to do that. He gets an opportunity tonight and scores a goal for us.” – John Tortorella
“He’s been so strong on the puck offensively. He’s a good offensive player,” Tortorella continued in a post game presser a month ago. “We all know that. I think he has really stepped up on holding onto pucks offensively, and he’s trying away from the puck. I think he’s in a better spot playing wing where he just doesn’t get as many opportunities as far as low coverage where there’s some struggles in his game. So, we’re trying – a team that’s starving for offense – I’m trying to take the pressure off of him defensively, and not being worried about all those types of situations low and let him work on the other part of his game. I think it’s really helped him and he’s also trying away from the puck. He’s asking the questions. Each night it’s different for me.”
Hayes was rocking and rolling for this young Flyers club before the benching, finally. With the way he was performing, there is a reason for some proposing trades involving Hayes. Multiple reports have indicated the Flyers could buyout Hayes, which doesn’t make sense. Most teams covet a 2C/3C that can produce, and well Hayes is producing so a buyout doesn’t make sense. Yes, the Flyers would eat money with a trade involving Hayes, most likely, but a buyout with Hayes’s production doesn’t make sense. The Flyers would be on the hook with a cap hit for six more season’s, it just doesn’t make sense.
Only time will tell, but at least at the moment Hayes has provided the Flyers with some much needed scoring.
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