The Pittsburgh Penguins were dealt a setback Monday as forward Kevin Hayes was placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. The move is retroactive to Hayes’ last appearance on November 5, meaning he could potentially return to the lineup as soon as Wednesday when the Penguins face off against the Detroit Red Wings.
However, despite the possibility of a quick return, head coach Mike Sullivan was more cautious in his update, telling reporters on Sunday that Hayes is currently considered “week-to-week.”
A Tough Break for Hayes and the Penguins
Hayes, who joined the Penguins this offseason in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers, has been an important addition to the roster. In his first 14 games with Pittsburgh, the 32-year-old forward has registered three goals and one assist, providing depth to the team’s top six. While his point production hasn’t been explosive, Hayes’ size, experience, and two-way game have brought stability to a Penguins lineup that’s looking to stay competitive in a tough Metropolitan Division.
The injury comes at a frustrating time for both Hayes and the Penguins, who are still working to find consistency early in the season. With Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin leading the charge, the team’s depth scoring will be key to sustaining success throughout the year. Hayes, who has accumulated 419 points (171 goals, 248 assists) in 727 career games with five NHL teams, was expected to provide valuable secondary scoring and leadership to a relatively young forward group.
Penguins Adjusting Without Hayes
While Hayes’ absence is a blow, Pittsburgh has quickly responded by recalling forward Sam Poulin from their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The 21-year-old Poulin has been solid in the AHL this season, with 3 goals and 5 assists through 9 games. His recall signals that the Penguins are looking for extra depth while Hayes is sidelined, and Poulin could get a look in the bottom six when the team faces Detroit and beyond.
Given Hayes’ importance to the Penguins’ offensive structure, his loss could affect Pittsburgh’s depth at forward. The team’s second and third lines may have to pick up the slack, and players like Jason Zucker, Bryan Rust, and Jake Guentzel will need to continue their strong play to ensure the Penguins maintain their competitive edge.
The Bigger Picture for Hayes and the Penguins
This injury is a reminder of the challenges the Penguins have faced with their aging roster and the increasing importance of managing health and depth. As Hayes battles this upper-body issue, Pittsburgh will have to rely on its veterans and young talent to keep the wheels turning.
For Hayes, this injury represents another obstacle in a career that has seen its share of ups and downs. After being drafted in the first round of the 2010 NHL Draft, Hayes has established himself as a capable middle-six forward, but he’s had his own injury troubles over the years. Staying healthy has often been a challenge for the 32-year-old, and this latest setback will only heighten the need for him to focus on his recovery and work his way back into the lineup when the time is right.
What’s Next for the Penguins?
The Penguins are hoping that Hayes’ stint on IR is a short one, with the potential for him to return as early as Wednesday’s game against Detroit. However, with a “week-to-week” timeline in place, it’s likely that the team will be without Hayes for a little while longer, depending on the progression of his recovery.
In the meantime, the Penguins will continue to navigate their early-season schedule with a mix of experience and youth. As the team looks to remain in playoff contention, the contributions of players like Poulin and others will be critical in filling the gap until Hayes is back to full strength.
For now, all eyes will be on the Penguins’ upcoming games, where they’ll aim to keep their momentum going without one of their key contributors in the lineup. As for Hayes, his focus will be on getting healthy, with hopes of returning sooner rather than later to help the Penguins push for another postseason run.
