The St. Louis Blues traded forward Kevin Hayes and a second-round draft choice in 2025 to Pittsburgh on Saturday in exchange for future considerations.
Hayes spent one season with the Blues after being traded to St. Louis by Philadelphia in June 2023. He produced 13 goals and 29 points in 79 games last season, marking the lowest output for Hayes in a full campaign throughout his 10-year career.
Picking Hayes up after a down season is a low-risk, potentially high-reward move by the Penguins. Pittsburgh needs to shore up its center depth and Hayes can slide into a third- or fourth-line role. Hayes has two years remaining on his contract at $7,142,857 million per season, but the Flyers retained 50% of Hayes' total in the initial trade to St. Louis.
Giving up a second-round selection with Hayes allowed the Blues to clear cap space though ahead of NHL free agency opening on July 1.