Hayes was shut down again in mid-January. Further medical evaluation revealed that he had sustained a severe infection after one of the two previous surgeries. The infection had spread well beyond the surgical area to the groin and leg. He'd have to undergo another procedure to clean out the infection.
Hayes returned on March 5. This time, he was legitimately feeling better. He still was not 100 percent but he was able to play without restrictions and the discomfort level was more manageable. Although the Flyers' teamwide fortunes on the ice did not improve, Hayes' individual play was a bright spot.
Over his final 28 games of last season, Hayes posted 22 points (7g, 15a). More importantly, his overall game looked to be getting back on track. He played some of his best games since the COVID-related suspension of the 2019-20 season.
The player's strong finish to last season gave him an emotional and mental lift. For the first time in two years, was able to undergo a "normal" offseason of rest, off-ice training and on-ice work that ramped up over the course of the summer. He now feels fully healthy.
"There were times last year where I was leaving games where I was questioning whether I'd ever feel good ever again," Hayes said.
"It was nice to know that I could play hockey again and enjoy myself and not worry about my groins every shift I'm on the ice. So that was the main reason why I came back, and it cleared a lot of mental thoughts up for me, and I'm hoping that it stays that way."
Sean Couturier, meanwhile, had nearly as tough of a 2021-22 season from an injury standpoint as teammate Hayes. Things started out well, with the former Selke Trophy-winning center racking up 12 points (5g, 7a) through the season's first 10 games. Not coincidentally, the Flyers posted a 6-2-2 record to open the season.
Unfortunately, the strong start didn't last for the team for the player. The Flyers sank as the season progressed. Couturier, meanwhile, began to labor physically. Couturier publicly downplayed the notion that he was trying to play through an injury that was severe enough to keep him out of the lineup. He has never been one to use injury as an excuse.