TRADE: Penguins Acquire Kevin Hayes from Blues

The Pittsburgh Penguins are adding to their forward group. The Penguins have acquired Kevin Hayes and a 2025 second-round pick from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for future considerations. 

Hayes has been traded to Pittsburgh Penguins. https://t.co/Mb3a2R165J

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 29, 2024

The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired forward Kevin Hayes and a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL draft for future considerations. pic.twitter.com/rCAkrZsoZ3

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 29, 2024

With this move, Hayes' tenure with the Blues has come to an end after just one season. During it, the Massachusetts native posted 13 goals to go along with 29 points in 79 games. Overall, it was a bit of a down year for the veteran forward, but he will now look to have a nice bounce-back year with the Penguins. 

Seeing the Penguins add to their forward group is entirely understandable. Their middle six could use a boost, and Hates certainly has the potential to provide them with just that. When playing at his best, he produces strong secondary offensive production. For example, just back during the 2022-23 season with the Philadelphia Flyers, he had 18 goals and 54 points. He was also an All-Star for the first time in his career.

Hayes will be more than just a one-year rental for the Penguins, as he is under contract until the completion of the 2025-26 season. 

It will now be interesting to see how well Hayes performs for the Penguins. On paper, there appears to be a pretty solid fit here.

photo credit:  Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports