The Philadelphia Flyers’ leading scorer Kevin Hayes was overlooked for Saturday night’s game against the New York Rangers.
Hayes, who has 29 points in 31 games, doesn’t seem to be in the crosshairs of head coach John Tortorella. He was benched in the third period after a turnover late in the second half in the Flyers’ 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. He finished with 9:47 of the ice time.
The Philadelphia Inquirer attempted to understand the reasons behind Tortorella’s decision. Hayes declined to comment. For his part, the pilot explained, “It was between Kevin and him.”
This is not the first time this season that such a fate has been reserved for him. The Flyers benched a forward in the third period in the sixth game of the season.
Lukas Sedlak leaves the NHL
For his part, Flyers striker Lukas Sedlac decided to return to the Czech Republic in order to be closer to his family. Tortorella, tried to dissuade him, but to no avail.
“We will miss him,” he said in an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The former Chicoutimi Saguenéens played three seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets between 2016 and 2019 under Tortorella. Then he left for three years to play in the Continental League. He signed with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 to prove that he “can still be an NHL player”. He played three games there before going on waivers and being picked up by his former coach.
For a few weeks, he wondered if being a National League player made him a happy guy.
“The NHL hasn’t given me what I expected it to give me. I’d rather be home with my family,” Sedlak said Saturday.
His entire family and fiancee are in the Czech Republic. He knew it was time for him to go home. He can also agree with the Pardubice Club.
“I get to a certain age where it’s not just about being in the NHL, but it’s also about playing and enjoying playing, because I don’t know how many good years I’ve had. I stay,” he said.
He scored eight points in 27 games this season, and collected 35 points in 192 games.
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