I was a bit taken back on Tuesday afternoon when I saw the updated Flyers injuries.
This probably would have been more reactionary if Woj didn’t drop a Ben Simmons bomb to set Sixers twitter on fire.
(Which was already reported by Keith Pompey)
Kevin Hayes had abdominal surgery Tuesday morning and will miss 6-8 weeks.
Keep in mind he had sports hernia surgery in May, too. AV didn’t have information on if there was a correlation between the two.
Here’s what I do know though.
This is potentially going to hurt the Flyers in early stages of the season. Knowing how bad last year was, specifically the 200 foot game, it’s extremely important to start off strong.
Losing your second-line center, a special teams player, and an emotional leader to begin the year stings.
Hayes will hopefully miss around 10 games or so according to the time frame we were given. So it could be a lot worse, it’s just not the way this team was looking to start their bounce-back campaign.
So what can the Flyers do during this time?
Do they have enough to hold their own?
I think so.
Now before you say, “Hey Brodes, you’re an idiot. These will NOT be the lines!”
I understand AV changes it up almost every shift so it’s almost impossible to guess.
I’m just looking at possibilities dammit!
Line 1: Farabee Couturier Atkinson
Line 2: JVR Giroux Konecny
Line 3: Lindblom Frost Laughton
Line 4: Thompson Brassard NAK
This isn’t the worst case in the world.
Which brings me to another injury that could have effected the lineup.
Wade Allison showed a ton of passion and juice at the end of the last season. He finished with 14 games, 4 goals, and 3 assists.
Unfortunately in a rookie game against the Rangers he injured his leg and will miss significant time.
Allison definitely made some noise and brought edge to the lineup. Flare might even be a better word to describe it.
It’s a shame he will lose a golden opportunity.
Ok… back to the lineup.
I like Giroux playing wing more than center at this point in his career, but if needed down the middle he’s a fantastic back up plan to have.
If G was shifted to Line 2 wing, can you go….
Giroux Laughton Konecny?
Which would make your 3rd line:
Lindblom Frost JVR
This would put JVR on his off wing.
I’m trying to find a way to slot in Brassard at 2C, but it screws up JVR when Giroux slides over.
JVR can’t play with 4th liners. He’s a fantastic goal scorer… He doesn’t dominate a line though. There needs to be skill players on the ice to maximize his ability.
That’s no knock on what he brings to the table, but he goes to certain areas and top 6 forwards know how to reward that more than the Nate Thompsons and NAKs of the world.
I don’t see Frost as 2C. 3rd line seems the most comfortable for him if he earns the responsibility out of camp.
Let’s be real AV has some versatility to work with.
Giroux, Laughton, Thompson, Brassard, Frost can all play some center.
I am worried about expectations when Hayes returns. There’s no way it’s automatic success right from the jump. He’s missing camp and going through this entire process while others are getting their conditioning up competing in double-digit games potentially.
Oh! How can I forget to update the Sam Morin debacle.
If you checked out one of my latest posts, Sam Morin Injury Confusion , you saw the back and forth between Anthony SanFilippo of Crossing Broad and Riley Cote, former flyer.
We have an update and it sure seems Anthony was correct as Sam Morin will be out 6-8 weeks to remove “loose bodies.”
Knee surgery. Missing up to 8 weeks. Guess that’s not “Fake news” eh? Let the reporters do the reporting, Riles. 😉 #PenIsMightierThanTheSword https://t.co/2mYUMQAZST
— Anthony SanFilippo (@AntSanPhilly) September 21, 2021
6-8 weeks is a little more than “my knee got banged up a little but nothing major.”
To play the other side… is it fair to label 6-8 weeks a “significant knee injury” as Anthony first reported?
I’d say it leans more towards significant than not especially with his history of knee issues.
Anyway.. I’m stoked for Flyers hockey!
I’m ready to see this new D Core.
Let’s Go Flyers! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Let’s Go Flyers! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼