Imagine being replaced by a legend—all because of a headache. That’s exactly what happened to Wally Pipp in 1925, when a young Lou Gehrig stepped in for him at first base for the New York Yankees and never looked back. Pipp later joked he took ‘the two most expensive aspirin in history,’ but the story became a timeless sports lesson: sometimes, a single opportunity can change everything. And now, nearly a century later, Avery Hayes is making us wonder: could he be the next Gehrig in this tale? But here’s where it gets controversial: while Hayes’s two-goal NHL debut and recent hat trick in the AHL scream potential, the Penguins’ current fourth line—Noel Acciari, Connor Dewar, and Blake Lizotte—is firing on all cylinders. So, how much room does Hayes really have to push into the lineup down the stretch?
Let’s break it down. Hayes’s debut was no fluke, but it was partly due to Acciari’s illness—a classic case of being in the right place at the right time. Since then, he’s continued to impress, even dropping former Penguin Zach Aston-Reese in a fight last night. And this is the part most people miss: the NHL’s post-trade deadline rules (after March 6th) allow teams to expand their rosters beyond 23 players, giving the Penguins a golden opportunity to bring Hayes—and his AHL teammate Rutger McGroarty—back into the fold without disrupting the current lineup. This could be a strategic move to keep players fresh during a grueling March schedule, with 17 games in 31 days against top-tier teams.
But should the Penguins tinker with success? Acciari and Dewar are impending free agents, and while trading them might seem logical, their chemistry with Lizotte has been a key part of the team’s fourth-place standing in the Eastern Conference. Josh Yohe of The Athletic put it bluntly: ‘The second you think pieces of your fourth line are unmovable, you’ve got yourself a problem.’ Yet, breaking up a winning formula could backfire, especially with low trade value for both players. Here’s the bold question: Is it worth risking team morale for a potential upgrade, or should the Penguins ride out the season with their current squad?
The Penguins’ surplus of talent—14 forwards vying for 12 spots—is a luxury problem. Hayes and McGroarty represent the future, but the present is about balancing youth with experience. Rotating players like Acciari or Dewar to give Hayes a shot could be a win-win, offering him NHL exposure while keeping the team fresh. It’s not as dramatic as Gehrig’s rise, but as Pipp’s story reminds us, small changes can lead to big shifts.
So, how much will Avery Hayes push into the lineup? The answer lies in the Penguins’ willingness to experiment without disrupting their momentum. With a tough March ahead, Hayes’s energy and skill could be the spark they need—or it could be a step too far. What do you think? Is Hayes ready for the NHL spotlight, or should the Penguins stick with their proven lineup? Let’s debate it in the comments!
