Newly acquired Pittsburgh Penguins player looking to find himself
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Kevin Hayes is on the lookout for a new role as he joins his third team in as many seasons.
The 32-year-old Hayes, who struggled to find his footing with the St. Louis Blues last season and had a rocky stint with the Philadelphia Flyers the year before, is now gearing up for a fresh start in Pittsburgh.
Drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2019 with a significant seven-year, $50 million contract, Hayes' tenure has been marked by public disputes, salary-dump trades, and now a move to the Penguins.
Hayes: "I know what I need to do to make sure my game works in this league. I think I'll have a good opportunity in Pittsburgh to do that."
The St. Louis Blues, in their trade with Pittsburgh, attached a 2025 second-round pick to facilitate the deal, leading the Penguins to use a substantial portion of their salary cap space.
During his brief time with the Blues, Hayes faced challenges, playing a primarily defensive role and recording a career-low 29 points. His ice time averaged just 14:29 per game, although he did excel in the faceoff circle with a career-high 57% win rate. Hayes candidly admitted his difficulties in fitting into the Blues' system.
In an interview, Hayes reflected on his recent moves, saying;
"I haven't really talked to the coaches about a specific role. They have some great players in this lineup, so no matter who I'm playing with, I'm going to be excited. I still think I can produce in this league."
Despite his size�standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 216 pounds�Hayes is not known for his physical play, with his hit count often low. He remains primarily a center, a role that Penguins president of hockey operations and GM Kyle Dubas expects him to continue in Pittsburgh.
Hayes acknowledged that his frequent team changes can be a blow to the ego but sees it as a chance to prove himself anew.
"I'm a pretty confident person. I've been in the league for a pretty long time. I've had successful seasons. I know what I need to do to make sure my game works in this league, and I think I'll have a good opportunity in Pittsburgh to do that. I think instead of it being an ego shot, I'll use it more as motivation to show those two teams that I can still play and produce in this league."
With the Penguins, Hayes will contribute just over $3.5 million to the salary cap, as the Philadelphia Flyers continue to cover part of his salary. Hayes is looking to rebuild his career and establish himself as a key middle-six center in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins have a mix of bottom-six centers, including Lars Eller, Blake Lizotte, and Noel Acciari, with the latter being the only right-handed option among them.
Hayes had a standout start to the 2022-23 season as an All-Star, scoring 18 goals and recording 54 points, but his relationship with former Flyers coach John Tortorella soured, impacting his performance. The Penguins are hopeful that Hayes can regain his form and provide valuable contributions this season.
In addition to his professional journey, Hayes has personal ties to the Penguins organization. His late brother, Jimmy Hayes, was a notable player for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins before his passing in 2021. Kevin Hayes' move to Pittsburgh is not only a professional opportunity but also a meaningful return to a team with personal significance.
Source: Pittsburgh Hockey Now
Penguins' Kevin Hayes Searching for a Role; Using Trade as 'Motivation'
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 24 | 86 ANSWERS Newly acquired Pittsburgh Penguins player looking to find himself Will Kevin Hayes find success with the Pittsburgh Penguins? | ||
| Yes | 47 | 54.7 % |
| No | 39 | 45.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
