Philadelphia Flyers traded forward Kevin Hayes for the St. Louis Blues. Hayes was the Flyers’ sole representative in the 2023 All-Star Game and will move to St. Louis for a 2024 sixth-round pick.
Hayes has three years remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $7,142,857. He recorded 54 points (18 g, 36 a) in 81 games with the Flyers last season.
ESPN’s Kevin Weeks was first on the news, Philadelphia is also keeping 50 percent of Hayes’ salary.
**Breaking News** 🚨 📰
i am told @NHLFlyers F’s are trading Kevin Hayes @StLouisBlues For the Blues 2024 6th road draft pick, there could be another component to the deal.@espn @NHL @NHLNetwork @TSNHockey @dksportsbook #hockeytwitter pic.twitter.com/SyPz88jq2l— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) 27 June 2023
Hayes has been with the Flyers for four seasons and his 2022-23 campaign was the personal best of his career. Philadelphia acquired Hayes’ negotiating rights in the summer of 2019, signing him to a seven-year, $50 million contract.
The 31-year-old center has a modified no-trade clause where he can submit to a 12-team, no-trade list. It is unknown whether he waived that no-trade clause or whether the Blues simply weren’t on his list.
Kevin Hayes is a playmaking middle six centre, acquired by STL. #STLBlues pic.twitter.com/IRtceOjimC
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) 27 June 2023
The Flyers are expected to be busy this off-season as new, full-time general manager Danny Briere and the rest of the revamped front office begin a complete rebuild. Travis Konekny, Scott Lawton and Travis Sanheim are all expected to be involved in trade talks to some degree.
Philadelphia has ten selections in this year’s draft, including two first-round picks.
Update (1:18 PM): The Flyers have made the move official.
Official: We have acquired a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft from St. Louis in exchange for forward Kevin Hayes.
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) 27 June 2023
screenshot via Philadelphia Flyers/YouTube