General Manager Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins spent all offseason retooling the Penguins forwards. One of the Penguins forwards acquired this offseason via trade was veteran Kevin Hayes. Hayes is entering his 11th season in the NHL as he has 168 goals and 247 assists for a total of 415 career points. He has a career +/- of -22.
Hayes is a familiar face to some of the longer tenured Penguins aka the big three of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. The veteran forward spent the first five years of his career with Metropolitan Division rival New York Rangers. Hayes later spent four seasons with their in-state rival, the Philadelphia Flyers.
Now, the big three sees themselves as teammates with Hayes. But what if they are not teammates with him for very long? NHL reporter Dan Kingerski mentioned Hayes could be traded at some point in the near future. However, if there ever is a trade, it would most likely occur at the NHL trade deadline in February.
Who Would Trade For Kevin Hayes?
Detroit: Detroit is an up and coming team with a young roster. They are looking to make the playoffs and could use Hayes’ veteran presence and leadership to mentor the young core.
Ottawa: Ottawa is a team who is in a similar boat as Detroit looking to take their game to the next level. However, Hayes could benefit the Senators more on the defensive end.
Buffalo: Buffalo is very similar to Detroit as another young team looking to make the playoffs. A player like Hayes can be the veteran presence needed.
New Jersey: The Penguins and Devils have made a trade before and they could again. After missing the playoffs last season, the Devils could use Hayes for depth.
Utah: As a relocated team, Utah would like to be competitive and they showed it in free agency this summer. Adding Hayes to their roster could be something they would consider.
Chicago: Similarly to Utah, the Blackhawks also used free agency to upgrade their roster and look to significantly improve from a season ago. A guy like Hayes can also be a mentor to Connor Bedard and still produce in the bottom-six.
Any of these seven teams could definitely use Hayes for his veteran experience and mentor the younger guys on their roster. Also, teams especially like New Jersey, Buffalo, and Chicago expect to be in the playoff hunt and Hayes can help in that regard as well as he has playoff experience.
Or, other teams who are already in the playoff picture who are looking to add a piece to their roster to really propel themselves could take a look at Hayes. A potential reunion with the Rangers could be in place.
Why The Penguins Should Trade Kevin Hayes
Dubas should be considering moving Hayes as he is coming off of the worst season of his career. This past season, Hayes had a career low 29 points in 79 games. His 16 assists were also a career low. Also, Hayes’ contract is huge and takes up a portion of the cap space as he has an average value of $7.14 million dollars for the next two seasons and a $3.5 million dollar cap hit. Trading him would free up cap space and depending on the return, could free up a roster spot which could be better used elsewhere (will get into later).
In addition to his poor play, he is also 32 years old and not getting younger. Dubas mentioned multiple times, his goal is for the Penguins to get younger and competitive and based on Hayes’ play and age, he does not fit the mold in either.
One guy who should have a spot on the NHL lineup is Rutger McGroarty. McGroarty is someone that has looked good in training camp so far and was expected to have a prominent role on the roster. Another guy who could use the roster spot after Hayes is traded is Ville Koivunen. Koivunen is a top-three prospect for the Penguins. Some have said he could make his NHL Debut this upcoming season.
Main Photo: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
