PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The St. Louis Blues have acquired middle Kevin Hayes from the Philadelphia Flyers for a sixth-round decide within the 2024 draft.

The groups introduced the commerce Tuesday, the day earlier than the primary spherical of the draft. The Flyers are retaining half of Hayes’ $7.14 million wage cap hit for the following three years.

Hayes provides the retooling Blues depth down the center as they attempt to return to the playoffs subsequent season. The 31-year-old is a veteran of practically 700 NHL video games and brings extra successful expertise to a staff that's 4 seasons faraway from successful the Stanley Cup.

Hayes signed a $50 million, seven-year contract with the Flyers in 2019 and have become an immediate fan favourite over his 4 seasons. He scored 23 targets in his first season with the Flyers and was an All-Star this previous season, when he fell one shy of his profession excessive with 54 factors.

Hayes, although, had his battles with Flyers coach John Tortorella. Hayes was a wholesome scratch for one sport and was benched a number of occasions throughout others as a result of Tortorella didn’t like the extent of play from the 10-year veteran.

Hayes additionally was expendable as a result of the Flyers are underneath new administration led by normal supervisor Danny Briere and are within the midst of a rebuilding course of. Hayes joined veteran defenseman Ivan Provorov as costly vets now not crucial for a franchise taking the lengthy view towards success.

“It’s weird, had almost a career year and I was an All-Star but never really felt like that throughout the whole season, to be honest,” Hayes stated in April.

Hayes was slowed at occasions by accidents however by no means misplaced help from Philly followers. One native brewery even named a beer “Big Hayes-Y 13” in honor of Hayes. He earned league-wide reward for the best way he performed by way of the grief following the loss of life of his brother, former NHL participant Jimmy Hayes, earlier than the 2021 season.

Hayes has 155 targets and 386 factors over a profession that included stints with the New York Rangers, Toronto and Winnipeg.

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