Penguins forward Avery Hayes returns to the NHL

Avery Hayes missed his first game of the season Friday as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins were thumped at home by the Belleville Senators, 7-3.

Presumably, Hayes would have enjoyed a chance to be in the lineup to help that squad but his absence was understandable.

By Saturday morning, the Pittsburgh Penguins had recalled him in advance of Saturday’s home contest against the Nashville Predators.

With Evgeni Malkin sidelined by an illness — to say nothing of a small battery of other health-related absences that have pockmarked the forward ranks on the NHL roster — Hayes made his season debut for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Hayes earned the recall after being highly productive with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, posting nine points (five goals, four assists) in six games while primarily being deployed on the right wing of the top line.

“Trying to play my game, keep it simple and playing with great players,” Hayes said after an optional morning skate in Cranberry. “Just throw pucks on net and been getting some lucky bounces.”

Hayes enjoyed good fortune last season when he made his NHL debut, appearing in 16 games while scoring five goals.

His first taste of the NHL level offered a profound lesson.

“I feel like the mistakes are just so much more magnified here,” Hayes said. “If you make a mistake, the puck is probably going to wind up in the back of your net. So, just playing your game, keeping it simple and playing with confidence, I feel like is the biggest thing.”

After Hayes offered strong results in his handful of NHL games last season, there was anticipation he would mount a serious threat to claim a spot on the Pittsburgh Penguins roster out of training camp this past September. However, he was sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton relatively early Sept. 25.

At that time, Penguins coach Dan Muse plainly stated other players were “ahead” of Hayes on the organization’s depth chart.

For his part, the 24-year-old Hayes professed not to dwell on being assigned to the American Hockey League affiliate posthaste.

“I can’t really control that,” Hayes said. “I was just trying to control how I played when I was here and when I went (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton), try to control how I played when I went there. Just making the most of wherever I was.”

Arguably, the only person who was more excited about Hayes’ recall than Hayes himself was Penguins rookie forward Rutger McGroarty. Recalled to the NHL roster himself Thursday, McGroarty describes himself and Hayes as “best buddies.”

“Seeing the work that he’s put in from the first year we were together to last year to this year, he stays consistent with his work ethic,” said McGroarty, a frequent linemate of Hayes with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. “He’s a heck of a hockey player. Super excited for him to get this opportunity. I’m really looking forward to watching him Saturday.”

Hayes is eager to be seen on an NHL rink as well.

“Make the most of my opportunity,” Hayes said. “Play my game and do whatever I can to impact the team in a positive way and help the team win a game.”

Note: To make room for Hayes on the active NHL roster, defenseman Sam Girard was designated to injured reserve because of a suspected right arm injury. Girard missed the Penguins’ previous two contests due to the ailment.