Kevin Hayes spent the majority of his career in the Metropolitan Division before joining St. Louis for the last season. The 6-foot-5 forward played with the Rangers for five seasons and the Flyers for four seasons.

After being acquired by the Penguins from the Blues, Hayes finds himself back in the East, this time with a franchise he is familiar with from past battles.

Hayes expressed with a smile, “It’s quite amusing how the two teams I was a part of have become fierce adversaries with Pittsburgh. There was always an underlying animosity when we faced off against each other, but now the tables have turned, and I hold that same animosity towards other teams. It’s truly exhilarating. I can’t wait for the season to begin so that I can prove my worth in this league and contribute to a successful team.”

Following the trade, Hayes engaged in a conversation with Penguins President of Hockey Operations and GM Kyle Dubas, who holds the belief that the experienced 32-year-old player can thrive and make progress with a new beginning in Pittsburgh.

“After assessing his performance last year in St. Louis, it is evident that things did not go as intended for both the player and the team,” stated Dubas. He made this comment after acquiring Hayes and a 2025 second-round pick in exchange for future considerations, with the Flyers agreeing to cover 50% of his salary ($7 million AAV) from a previous transaction.

Once he becomes available, we are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to collaborate with him. With his extensive experience as a significant player in both New York and Philadelphia, we are excited to work with Kevin. We will assist him in getting started and eagerly await the positive outcomes that will result from our partnership.

Hayes began the 2022-23 season with the Flyers on a high note, earning recognition as an All-Star. Despite scoring 18 goals, which was the third-highest tally of his career after achieving 20 goals twice in 2017-18 and 2019-20, Hayes expressed dissatisfaction with his performance towards the end of the season. Unfortunately, his difficulties extended into the following year.

Hayes expressed, “In my experience last year, I didn’t feel like I could truly showcase my skills as a hockey player in St. Louis. I hesitate to label it as a complete rebuild, as I don’t believe that’s the direction they’re heading in. Additionally, when that notion was mentioned last year, it wasn’t well received by my teammates in the locker room. It seems that I just didn’t quite align with their strategic vision.”

Hayes’ role in the plan is still undetermined, as Head Coach Mike Sullivan has the final say, according to Dubas. However, they envision Hayes starting as a center, which aligns with his career experience.

“I quite enjoy the sense of responsibility and the ability to accelerate from the lower section of the rink to gain momentum,” expressed Hates. He then continued with a smile, “I feel at ease playing both as a center and a wing. Considering I’ll be joining some exceptional players at the beginning of the season, I honestly don’t mind which position I’ll be assigned.”

Hayes is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to learn from Sidney Crosby.

Hayes stated that he has met Sid on multiple occasions, attended a wedding together, and even sat beside him at the All-Star game. Over the years, their acquaintance has developed through their competitive encounters and shared friends. Hayes expressed his eagerness to witness Sid’s daily approach and mentioned the positive feedback he has received about Sid’s professionalism.

Hayes is impressed by the enduring careers of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang, as he aims to sustain his presence in the NHL for as long as he can.

In order to accomplish this, Hayes must attain a specific level of comfort. Additionally, he recognizes the importance of establishing a strong rapport with the coaching staff, as well as being versatile enough to excel in various game situations. It may also be beneficial for him to embrace a shoot-first approach rather than a pass-first mentality.

Although joining his third team in consecutive years may pose challenges, Hayes has decided to view it as a source of motivation rather than a blow to his ego.

Hayes expressed his confidence, stating, “Having spent a significant amount of time in the league and enjoying successful seasons, I possess the knowledge and understanding of what it takes to excel in this competitive environment. I believe the opportunity in Pittsburgh will enable me to optimize my game and achieve positive results.”