Kevin Hayes has been no stranger to the operating table this year. He’s gone through multiple procedures, specifically related to his groin area. He had a surgery at the end of the 2020-21 season and needed another one just before Flyers training camp began this season.
There was cause for concern that Hayes would need yet another surgery in the same area. Turns out the procedure he received in January was related to an infection that began in his groin and had spread through his upper leg.
After meeting with infectious disease specialities, it was ruled that Hayes would not need to go through another surgery. For someone who had needed two procedures already, it would’ve been safe to assume there was some emotion when it came to possibly needing another.
Hayes had downplayed the last two surgeries he needed, but he admitted that he was scared of needing a third one. There’s never a guarantee that something like this won’t come back, but Hayes takes a lot of pride in being able to come back and play for the Flyers as long as he can.
"“We honestly don’t know when the infection started. It could’ve been from training before games or some doctors even said it could’ve been from the originally surgery back in May. So we don’t really know. It’s obviously frustrating when you see the season that the team’s having and you’re supposed to be one of the key players to help your team win. And even when you were playing, you weren’t doing too much to help your team.” Hayes said after Friday’s practice."
Hayes has been ramping up his rehab in the most recent days and he returned to practices with the team. In a limited participation practice, there wasn’t an ability to run lines and see where Hayes could slide in if he does indeed return to play on Saturday.
Mike Yeo did mention what the lines could look like with Hayes in them. Scott Laughton would center the first line with Claude Giroux and Travis Konecny. The FAB line would return with Joel Farabee, Cam Atkinson, and Derick Brassard. Hayes would slot into the third line center role with Gerry Mayhew coming out of the lineup.
It’s not hard to see how much Hayes means to this team. He has embraced what it means to be a part of the Philadelphia Flyers since he first stepped foot in the city. And this organization and fan base has embraced him right back. He does a lot of different things for this team when healthy. He gives them solid play on both ends of the ice as well as helping them out on special teams.
"“Obviously it’s gonna be interesting to see where he’s at. He played through a lot of pain and injury earlier in the year. And I’m hoping that we can get a fully healthy Kevin Hayes back because that would do an awful lot for him.” Yeo said after Friday’s practice."
We all certainly hope that Hayes is finally able to get back to where he was before this season.