Alain Vigneault met with the media today ahead of Flyers training camp and there was plenty to be discussed. Most importantly, the health of players who have picked up injuries over the past couple of months. Here are the latest updates:
Kevin Hayes
It’s been a heartbreaking year for Kevin Hayes. The passing his brother Jimmy shook the NHL to its core and retuning to the Ice was never going to be easy.
That return has now been delayed somewhat with news that the veteran has sustained an abdominal injury that will require surgery, keeping him out 6-8 weeks.
Vigneault mentioned that Hayes started feeling pain in his groin yesterday while skating with teammates and went for an MRI. It was later deemed he would need surgery.
This is a tough hit for the Flyers to take. He scored 31 points in 55 games last season, becoming one of the teams’ most consistent players in the process. Hayes manned the second line and set the tone for a very young team and the expectation is that he’ll be able to provide that once again in 2021. He underwent core muscle surgery this offseason.
His injury will likely keep him out until November or at the very least, mid-October. This means that there’s a huge opportunity for younger players to step up to the plate as the lines shuffle around. Look for newly-signed vet, Derrick Brassard to see an increased role while the Flyers look to see if someone like Morgan Frost is ready for more responsibility at the NHL level.
Sam Morin
There appeared to be some confusion surrounding the injury sustained by Samuel Morin this week, but AV confirmed on Tuesday that he will indeed miss time. Set to be absent for around the same time as Hayes, Morin will require right knee surgery to have loose bodies removed.
Morin originally tore his right ACL in 2018 while playing for the Phantoms. He suffered the same injury again in 2019 during a regular season matchup for Lehigh Valley, forcing him to rehab and miss a huge chunk of time once again.
Fortunes looked to change in 2020, with Morin playing in 20 games for the Flyers at the NHL level while working on his versatility and playing on the wing. He even netted his first goal.
Losing yet more time because of knee complications is gut-wrenching for the 26-year-old, as it feels like he just can’t seem to catch a break.
Wade Allison
During the second period of the recent rookie-game loss to the Rangers, Allison took a hard hit on the boards. Concerns were obviously large as fans remember that at Western Michigan, Allison tore his ACL.
He’s out with a right-ankle sprain, which is a lot less severe than perhaps many were anticipating. Linus Sandin should have an inside-track to earn an increased role on the Flyers after an impressive start to his 2021 preparations, shining in the rookie games.
Hopefully, we see Wade Allison back with the team soon. He shined in a small sample size of games with the Flyers last year and the team could benefit from his impressive vision once again in 2021.
Photo Credit: Alex McIntyre
