Blues, Flyers Kevin Hayes Trade Now In Limbo Due To Surprising Development

Kevin Hayes was clearly going to be on his way out of the City of Brotherly Love this summer, and on Saturday afternoon, it appeared that his destination was the St. Louis Blues. The Flyers & Blues were said to be close to completing a deal.

Now, on Saturday evening, we've learned  that a Blues player has put the kibosh on the proposed trade—for now—by invoking a no-trade clause. 

The great JR says it's Kevin Hayes and defenseman Travis Sanheim to the Blues *if* a St. Louis player's trade protection can be sorted out. https://t.co/PgRBZ30jPC

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 25, 2023

According to Charlie O'Connor and Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic, a St. Louis defenseman was set to head to Philly along with a first-round pick in exchange for Hayes and Travis Sanheim. But that Blues blueliner has nixed the deal — at least in its current iteration. 

A later evening update seems to indicate that the defenseman in question is Torey Krug.

The status of the trade is unknown as of late Saturday evening as the two sides presumably continue to sort out a way to make it work. Whether that will involve somehow enticing Krug to waive his no-trade for some sort of incentive, or finding a third team to join the deal to which he is willing to go to, is unclear.

As for Sanheim, who was signed to a massive eight-year, $50M extension last October, he has a no-trade clause of his own with the Flyers that kicks in on July 1st. Clearly, new Philly GM Daniel Briere, who inherited that deal, is trying to get out in front of that; he has one week left to do it.

Photo: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports