Kieffer Bellows is already seeing one benefit of playing away from Long Island: He’s grown out some facial hair.
“I don’t know what you’d call it, I guess,” Bellows said ahead of his return to UBS Arena with the Flyers, asked if it felt freeing. “Growing up, the facial hair was just something that, maybe I’m being lazy about it, but it’s just there.”
It’s been almost exactly a month since the Flyers picked up Bellows off waivers from the Islanders, who drafted the 24-year-old in 2016. After sitting all but one game with the Isles — he was waived seven games into the season — Bellows has played nine times with Philadelphia, including a season-high 19:12 of ice time in a loss to the Penguins on Friday. He has yet to find the net, but said he feels like he’s finding his game. He took one shot in 15:31 of ice time in Saturday’s 5-2 Flyers loss to the Isles.
“First few games were getting used to the system, getting used to the guys,” Bellows said. “But now these last three games, I feel like I’ve really hit my stride. Really moving, really making plays. I know the stats haven’t shown it, but sooner or later with these chances, it’s gonna go in.”
Bellows has kept in touch with some of his former teammates, namely Sebastian Aho, Oliver Wahlstrom and Simon Holmstrom, who was in the lineup again on Saturday with Kyle Palmieri still dealing with an upper-body issue. Holmstrom and Bellows were in the competition for a spot at forward during training camp and, though Bellows ultimately made the roster, it’s Holmstrom who still plays for the Islanders and scored his first career point on Friday.
During training camp, having signed a one-year $1.1 million deal during the offseason, Bellows spoke of proving his worth to the organization. And, he admitted on Saturday, that being told he was going on waivers by Lou Lamoriello was a surprise.
“I know Lou and he has to make the … decisions for the team,” Bellows said. “He has to do what’s right for his team in the long run, so I respect that completely. I only have high praise for Lou and that organization over there, but going through that process near the end, Philadelphia picked me up. From then on, I’ve been working hard, trying to build my game up.”
Flyers coach John Tortorella agreed with Bellows’ assessment that he’s been improving over his last few games as he gains comfort in the system.
“Still a fairly young kid, new organization. I think sometimes it takes a little time just to get comfortable,” Tortorella said. “He deserves some of the ice time he’s getting right now and we’ll see where it all goes.”