Kevin Hayes was traded to the St. Louis Blues by the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday.
The Flyers received a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Hayes has three seasons remaining on a seven-year, $50 million contract ($7.14 million average annual value) he signed with the Flyers on June 18, 2019.
The 31-year-old center had 54 points (18 goals, 36 assists) in 81 games this season. He missed one game (healthy scratch) after he was limited to 48 games in 2021-22 because of injuries.
“I don’t have a preference, no,” Hayes said in February prior to the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline. “I would probably lean more towards staying. This organization is great. My teammates are unbelievable. I like where I live. But I have absolutely no say in it. … I think it’s just a decision that management and the coaches need to make.”
[RELATED: 2022-23 NHL Trade Tracker]
Hayes, who was second on the Flyers in points and first in assists, played in his first NHL All-Star Game this season.
Selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round (No. 24) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Hayes has 386 points (155 goals, 231 assists) in 634 regular-season games with the Flyers, Winnipeg Jets and New York Rangers. He has 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) in 56 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
“I’ve been in this position before with a team that’s kind of transitioning into I don’t want to say a rebuild, but a new culture in the organization and it’s not my decision whether I get traded or not,” Hayes said. “I love it here. I love my teammates. I love this city. I love the fans. The organization is great. That’s more for management to pick and choose who they want here.
“I’m not too concerned. If I get traded, that’s a decision that they make. Like I said, I love it here. I have some of my best friends on this team
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