KEVIN HAYES HEADED TO ST. LOUIS
The St. Louis Blues acquired forward Kevin Hayes from the Philadelphia Flyers for a sixth-round draft pick in 2024.
What does it give the St. Louis Blues
The Blues have been rumored to be interested in Hayes for weeks now, and the deal is finally official. He is likely to fill the third-line center role in St. Louis behind Robert Thomas and Brayden Schenn, although Hayes and Schenn can also play wing (and Pavel Buchnevich played some center in '22-23). Hayes is looking for a fresh start after a trying campaign. He did not cost the Blues much, so it is a good move.
What does it give the Philadelphia Flyers
For the Flyers, this is mostly about dumping Hayes and giving the team's reboot a boost. Hayes' role with Philadelphia disintegrated under coach John Tortorella, so something had to be done. GM Daniel Briere is committed to making massive changes to the roster, even if it does not net Philly much in return. Moreover, the Flyers are retaining 50 percent of Hayes' contract for the next three seasons.
Fantasy impact
Hayes' depreciating fantasy value could be reborn in St. Louis. He has gone from a completely non-recommendable draft option as a Flyer to a decent rebound candidate and possible sleeper in 2023-24 as a Blue.
