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It is time for Flyers to move on from Kevin Hayes

By Nick Butler |
Mar 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Kevin Hayes (13) against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Kevin Hayes (13) against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Hayes has been a weird case this season for the Flyers and John Tortorella this season. While he was an All-Star this season, it feels like he was going through the motions for the majority of the season. He did make comments about how he felt like he went from being a relied upon player to not playing much.

While Hayes did score 18 goals and assist on 36, he still finished the season a -22. He was so uninspiring at center, that he was moved to wing. The contract terms he currently has is not worth anything close to the on-ice product of other players with the same contract.

The 30-year-old(soon to be 31) Boston-born Hayes was a good piece for ex-Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault. Under Tortorella and his system, Hayes does not fit well. His lack of speed and willingness to be aggressive and push the play forward hinders the type of play Tortorella wants to see from his team. While Hayes did become an All-Star, it honestly wasn’t really deserved considering of how well Travis Konecny was playing. His disengagement of games started after his first benching early on in the season against the Sharks.

Travis Konecny and Hayes were both benched in that game. Only one player of the two responded the right way. The other showed his displeasure. It became worse when he was scratched in December versus the New York Rangers. Tortorella wouldn’t discuss why Hayes was benched, but it obviously had to do with his play.

Hayes had a letter on his chest the year prior. While I believed Hayes brought some personality to the team, Tortorella clearly didn’t see enough to give him a letter this season. A letter is rewarded to a player not only for their leadership on the ice, but leading off it as well . Whether its practice, the weight room or anything else other than just a game situation is big. Clearly Tortorella saw some of his behavior and wasn’t willing to reward him with a letter.

This team is looking to get younger and more skilled. Moving on from Hayes opens up a forward spot. Most likely a left wing. This means a Bobby Brink or Tyson Foerster could make the team. As it stands right now, the center position is locked down. Morgan Frost, Noah Cates, Sean Couturier and Scott Laughton are most likely going to be the centers next year, unless Laughton gets pushed to the wing. The money tied up in Hayes could be used to help rebuild the defense.

Hayes is a liability on the defensive side of the puck. It seems like most games he just wants to try to score and play offense. This young team needs players who are willing to learn how to play defense in Tortorella’s system and are willing to do whatever it takes to win games. Hayes’ contract is a big detriment to this team. Whether you are buying Hayes out or trading him it needs to be done.

The only answer moving forward is Hayes being moved.

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