The Flyers have acquired the rights to Hayes from Winnipeg for a 5th round pick.
If Hayes signs with Philly he would reunite with Alain Vigneault.
Adam Rotter: This isn’t surprising as the Flyers are looking to get back to the playoffs and Vigneault obviously knows what Hayes can bring. I wouldn’t be shocked if Hayes still tests the UFA market, or at least goes to the period where he can speak with other teams, but the Flyers have the chance to get him locked up.
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5/25/19 | Where the Kevin Hayes situation is right now
Elliotte Friedman wrote in his 31 Thoughts column that there is a lot of work being done by teams on former Ranger and pending UFA Kevin Hayes. (Sportsnet)
He notes that Colorado, Philadelphia and Chicago are among the teams doing their “due diligence.” (Sportsnet)
Chicago originally drafted Hayes in 2010 but he opted not to sign with them and instead join the Rangers.
Colorado was consistently mentioned as a possible landing spot for Hayes at the trade deadline.
Hayes played the first four years of his career with the Rangers under current Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault.
The Rangers acquired Brendan Lemieux and the 20th overall pick in exchange for Hayes at the deadline.
Hayes was ranked 17th in The Athletic‘s list of the top 20 UFAs this summer and Craig Custance writes that the Jets have shown “no indication” that they want to bring Hayes back.
The Islanders just re-signed center Brock Nelson to a six-year deal worth $6 million per season.
Nelson has averaged .50 points per game in his 480 career regular season games while Hayes has averaged .60 points per game in his 381 career regular season games.
Hayes (4 goals, 9 assists) has appeared in 40 career playoff games compared to 26 for Nelson (7 goals, 4 assists).
Adam Rotter: Brock Nelson set the bar for Hayes and with limited depth at center on UFA market it’s easy to see the former Ranger landing a deal of at least six-years and probably $6.5 million. The Rangers could have locked Hayes up for that kind of deal at any point from July 1, 2018 to when he was traded so, unless they have a secret handshake deal for him to return, it seems unlikely that there will be a reunion. It’s not out of the question, especially with how much Hayes loved being in New York and being a Ranger, but Hayes is likely to continue his career somewhere else. There isn’t a lot of depth on the UFA market at center so Hayes could not only have his pick of where to go but also cash in in a big way.