Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers’ Kevin Hayes Benched in Final Period of 2-1 Win in N.J.
Forward Kevin Hayes is the Philadelphia Flyers leading scorer with 29 points in 31 games this season.
That didn’t prevent coach John Tortorella from surprisingly benching him for the third period of the Flyers’ 2-1 win Thursday in New Jersey.
After the victory, Tortorella declined answering why he sat Hayes, who wasn’t playing a strong game, and his turnover led to an odd-man Devils rush late in the second period.
“It was my decision not to play him, but I’m not going to get too involved in that,” Tortorella said.
Hayes, whose first-period hooking penalty led to New Jersey’s goal, played just 9:47 and had no shots in the game.
Tortorella also benched Hayes earlier in the season. The veteran forward has had a very good offensive year, but has had some defensive lapses. Those lapses caused Tortorella to shift him from center to wing, where he has less defensive responsibilities.
Hayes, 30, made the move without complaint.
“I think he’s in a better spot playing wing, where he doesn’t get as many opportunities as far as low coverage, and where there’s some struggles in his game,” Tortorella said last month. “I’m trying to take the pressure off him defensively.”
It would be surprising if Hayes, who signed a seven-year, $50-million deal before the 2019-20 season, was benched Saturday night, when the Flyers host one of his former teams, the New York Rangers.
Despite a a sorry decade, Flyers’ value climbs
‘Impressive’ Flyers Michkov, Luchanko Steal Show in Rookie Camp Debuts
Flyers Prospects: 5 Players to Watch in Rookie Camp
Flyers’ Rasmus Ristolainen Seen Skating After Season-Ending Injury
Full Flyers Rookie Camp Guide: How to Watch, Things to Note
Flyers Debut New Fanatics Practice Jerseys
Flyers Hire Decorated Russian Coach as Scouting Consultant
NHL Insider: Former Flyers Defenseman Could Be Next Ducks Captain
Johnny and Matt Gaudreau Called ‘A Light for so Many People’ at Vigil
Top Flyers Prospect Loses in Relief in KHL Debut
Bailey’s Daily: Marc Staal Retires from NHL; Top Ducks Prospect Injured
Are Flyers Playoff Contenders? We Examine in Latest Podcast
Flyers Podcast: Lots of Positives, But Ryan Ellis Was Mistreated
Will Flyers get a shot at drafting Shane Wright? Here are the intriguing prospects
Tyson Foerster injured on scary hit into end boards
Hayes has not been same player when he first came here. With sudden death of his brother n multiple surgeries he had last year he seems to me that watching him he is half speed and his defensive coverage is poor as well
Lack of effort is all that is on Hayes’s part!
I like Hayes but I don’t remember him being defensively poor when he first came here. Like the last poster mentioned. I think that the past year has been an emotionally heavy one for him. Part of it maybe that he was brought here to be a 2nd or 3rd line center but had to step into other rolls due to Couturier’s injury woes and the inconsistent play of others the team was hoping would slot in as reliable options at the center position.