We’ve got another edition of NHL rumours for you this weekend. The Philadelphia Flyers finally pulled the trigger on getting rid of general manager Chuck Fletcher. Former Flyers player Daniel Briere is tasked with trying to rebuild the team into a contender. Philadelphia will have to make some moves and make some hard decisions. One of those hard decisions could be a Kevin Hayes trade.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Kevin Hayes Trade Possible
Rumour: The Athletic’s Charlie O’Connor took a look at if Hayes was on the trade block. Hayes is 31 years old and in the middle of a contract that runs until the end of 2025-26. The Dorchester, Mass. native makes over $7.14 million per season for the life of that contract. Hayes scored 18 goals and got 54 points in 81 games this season.
The Flyers are likely looking to get out from under that contract. However, finding a suitor for Hayes could be a hard proposition. Briere could retain up to 50-percent of the contract, which would be over $3.5 million per season. Hayes’ production is that off a middle-six forward and not that of a top-tier winger.
Is a Kevin Hayes Trade Likely?
Briere might have to take a bath on a trade, but he may have to make it sooner rather later. The Flyers GM likely wants to get the most out of Hayes before his value collapses. One more sub-par season could really sink his trade value.
Today begins my summer Player Review series, which will last all the way into September.
We kick things off with Kevin Hayes, who delivered a bounceback season & proved he's healthy and can still be effective. So why does a trade seem so likely?https://t.co/opmPZG5Vhk
— Charlie O'Connor (@charlieo_conn) May 25, 2023
Having over $3.5 million of dead cap space may not be ideal, but options may be limited for the Flyers. The best-case scenario has the cap only going up to $86.5 million per season. However, teams aren’t going to flaunting their cap space and won’t take on a Hayes deal unless the Flyers take some sort of it.
Main photo by: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
