The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Monday that forward Kevin Hayes has been placed on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury. This decision was made retroactive to his last game on Nov. 5, which means there is a possibility he could make a return to the ice on Wednesday against Detroit. However, Coach Mike Sullivan stated that Hayes is currently being evaluated on a week-to-week basis.
Hayes, who is 32 years old, has had a solid start to his first season with the Penguins, recording three goals and one assist in 14 games. Throughout his career, he has accumulated a total of 419 points, including 171 goals and 248 assists, in 727 games while playing for five different teams since being drafted in the first round back in 2010.
Injuries are always a concern in professional sports, and it is unfortunate to see a player like Hayes sidelined. The team will have to adjust their lineup and strategies to compensate for his absence on the ice. Hayes’ experience and skill set will surely be missed, but this also provides an opportunity for other players to step up and showcase their abilities.
The Penguins will need to rely on their depth and teamwork to continue their success in the league while Hayes is recovering. It will be interesting to see how the team performs in his absence and how they manage to overcome this challenge. Fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on Hayes’ condition and hoping for a speedy recovery so he can rejoin his teammates on the ice soon.