Penguins Acquire Kevin Hayes and Draft Pick

The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired veteran forward Kevin Hayes and a 2025 second-round draft pick from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for future considerations. Hayes, who has two years remaining on his contract, will count for just over $3.5 million against the Penguins' salary cap due to the Philadelphia Flyers retaining 50% of his salary in a prior trade. Hayes aims to bounce back from a down year, having scored only 29 points in 79 games with the Blues last season. While he provides a fallback option for the Penguins' third-line center role, his declining point production and lack of speed raise questions about his effectiveness. For the Blues, the trade helps clear cap space as they prepare for NHL free agency. The move is part of Penguins GM Kyle Dubas' broader strategy to rebuild the prospect base and improve depth.