There’s a story in baseball lore that’s been told for nearly a century-the tale of Wally Pipp and Lou Gehrig. Pipp, the Yankees’ starting first baseman in 1925, reportedly sat out a game with a headache.
In stepped a young Lou Gehrig, and the rest, as they say, is history. Gehrig didn’t just fill in-he went on to play 2,130 consecutive games and become one of the most iconic figures in sports history.
Since then, getting “Wally Pipp’d” has become shorthand for losing your spot to someone who simply never gives it back.
Now, let’s be clear: Avery Hayes isn’t Lou Gehrig. But when you look at what Hayes did in his NHL debut, there’s at least a flicker of that same dynamic at play.
Hayes was called up to fill a fourth-line right wing spot for the Penguins, stepping in because Noel Acciari was out sick. Hayes didn’t just keep the seat warm-he scored twice.
It was the kind of debut that grabs attention, not just from fans, but from coaches and front offices alike.
Acciari’s spot isn’t in jeopardy-at least not yet. He’s a veteran presence, and the fourth line with him, Connor Dewar, and Blake Lizotte has been clicking. But Hayes opened a door, and what happens next is going to be worth watching.
After his NHL cameo, Hayes was sent back to the AHL during the Olympic break. If there was any concern about a letdown, he erased it quickly with a hat trick in his first game back.
Then, just last night, he added an assist and dropped Zach Aston-Reese in a fight with a short, nasty left hook. That’s the kind of all-around impact that gets noticed.
And make no mistake-Penguins management is noticing. The question now becomes: how do they find a way to get Hayes more NHL reps, especially with a healthy roster?
Here’s where things get interesting. After the NHL trade deadline, the 23-player roster limit goes away.
As long as a team stays under the salary cap-and Pittsburgh is in good shape there-they can carry extra bodies. There are still limits on post-deadline call-ups (four, to be exact), but emergency recalls don’t count against that number.
Translation: Hayes and his AHL linemate Rutger McGroarty could both be back in the NHL mix after March 6.
That timing could be crucial. The Penguins have a brutal March ahead-17 games in 31 days, many of them against top-tier competition.
That’s a grind, and having fresh legs like Hayes and McGroarty available could be a real asset. Even if they’re not in the lineup every night, just having them around gives the coaching staff options and helps keep the regulars fresh.
There’s also a longer-term angle here. Both Acciari and Dewar are set to become unrestricted free agents this summer.
If management decides to go younger heading into next season, Hayes and McGroarty are natural candidates to step in. Giving them a taste of NHL action now-especially in meaningful games-could be part of a bigger plan.
Of course, there’s always the trade route. Moving someone like Acciari or Dewar would open up a spot, but that’s a risky proposition.
This Penguins team is sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference with a .625 points percentage. They’ve earned the right to keep the group intact for a stretch run.
Trading away a key piece of a successful fourth line just to make room for a younger player doesn’t make a lot of sense unless the return is significant-and in this case, it likely wouldn’t be.
So what we’re left with is a good problem. The Penguins have about 14 forwards they’d like to dress on any given night, but only 12 spots.
That’s depth, and it’s the kind of depth that can make a difference over the course of a long season. It also gives them flexibility-whether it’s rotating guys in to manage fatigue, covering for injuries, or simply rewarding strong AHL play.
For Hayes, the path back to the NHL isn’t guaranteed, but it’s wide open. He’s done everything you could ask of a young player trying to make an impression-scored goals, played with energy, and even dropped the gloves. Now it’s about timing, opportunity, and how the Penguins choose to manage their roster coming out of the Olympic break.
No one’s saying this is a Gehrig situation. But as Wally Pipp could tell you, sometimes all it takes is one game to change the trajectory of a career.
Avery Hayes has made his mark. Now we’ll see if the Penguins find a way to keep him in the picture as they gear up for the stretch run.