Flyers Notebook: Plan is to take it slow with Kevin Hayes’ recovery

PHILADELPHIA — Before the season, the Flyers dropped key veteran Kevin Hayes onto the long-term injured list, requiring him to miss at least 10 games.

That would be the same Kevin Hayes who has been engaging recently in some light on-ice activities, including a low-key morning skate Monday.

That would be the Hayes whose leadership and scoring potential could be a help to a largely re-made team.

That would be the Hayes who might have helped the Flyers avoid an opening night overtime loss ahead of Monday night’s date with the Seattle Kraken at Wells Fargo Center Monday.

So why such a lengthy injury-list commitment to a player who appears, at least, to have the potential to be recovered from sports hernia surgery long before he is eligible to return?

“When we made this decision, we made it knowing he could be close at Games 8, 9, 10,” Alain Vigneault said. “But we wanted to be 100 percent sure. This is the second time he’s gone through surgery here in the last little while. We wanted to make sure he was at 110 percent, because the last time he felt he was at 105 percent and still got hurt.”

Two seasons ago, his first with the Flyers, Hayes collected 23 goals and 41 points in 69 games. In 55 games last season, truncated amid virus concerns and limited to games within a one-time-only East Division, he settled for 12 goals.

To be at their best, the Flyers believe they need Hayes to be at his best. So they’ll exercise patience.

“This time, we’re being a little extra careful,” Vigneault said. “You know he’ll miss 10 games, but he should be good for the next 72 after that.”

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Travis Konecny began his NHL career playing for Dave Hakstol. For that, he would find it interesting Monday to see Hakstol behind the Seattle bench.

“It’s different seeing him on different teams when you had him for so long,” Konecny said. “But it’s exciting for him to have that job now and step in as a head coach again. Hopefully everything goes well for him, but not against us.”

Hakstol has not coached the Flyers since 2018 and was assisting in Toronto before the Seattle opportunity. For that, Konecny, did not anticipate the Flyers enjoying any benefits of an awareness of their former coach’s style or playbook.

“I wouldn’t expect to see the exact same styles as when he was here,” Konecny said. “He’s been in Toronto and now out there, so he’s probably got some other things under his belt. I’m sure there will be some similarities out there, but we haven’t noticed them that much.”

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Despite participating in an optional morning skate Monday, Rasmus Ristolainen missed his second consecutive game with an upper-body injury.

“He’s still day-to-day,” Vigneault said. “He’s getting better. But day-to-day has turned out to be almost a week now.”

Ristolainen was acquired from Buffalo in an offseason deal involving Robert Hagg and is expected to add physicality to the defense. Nick Seeler, who is on a two-way contract, was recalled from the Phantoms to fill the roster spot Monday.

According to Vigneault, Ristolainen will practice Tuesday.

“I will have a better idea then,” he said, “of where he is.”

The Flyers are anxious to see Ristolainen return.

“He’s out there skating, so that’s a good start,” Justin Braun said. “He’s working through, getting the speed back and everything. He’s got the hands and the shot going and everything. He just has to get the stride back again.”

Including his experience in Minnesota and Chicago, the 28-year-old Seeler he had two goals and 12 points in 106 NHL games. He played 12 minutes in the loss to Vancouver.

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Hayes continues to mourn the August death of his brother, former NHL forward Jimmy Hayes.

According to a report from the Massachusetts office of public safety and security, Jimmy Hayes died in part due to “acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl and cocaine.”

Might more education about pain-killers be a benefit to NHL players?

“We all saw the news and our thoughts and support go with Kevin and his family,” Vigneault said. “There is no doubt that we could all do a little bit more. But I don’t think this is just a hockey-related problem. This is a society problem. So we all could try to do a little bit better and a little bit more.”

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Not that Vigneault has him ticketed to set any iron-man-streak records, but Carter Hart made his second consecutive start in goal Monday.

So when is Martin Jones’ turn in the rotation?

“I know exactly when he is going to play,” Vigneault said, with a coy smile, after a morning skate. “But we’re focused on tonight right now.”

The Flyers will entertain the Boston Bruins Wednesday night at 7:30.