There is speculation that Kevin Hayes was being considered as a trade option for the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, with the recent arrival of Mike Babcock, this may no longer be a possibility.
Unfortunately, finding a trade partner for Hayes is difficult due to his no-trade clause (NTC), which may lead Danny Briere to explore other options.
On Stick 2 Hockey with @jasonmyrt , @ADiMarco25 just mentioned that with CBJ potentially not having the cap space for Hayes, and a bearish trade market for him, the #Flyers have even contemplated a buyout, although hoping to trade him
Here's what buyout would look like
Thoughts?
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John Tortorella is now consulting with Briere on the roster for the upcoming season. It seems that Hayes may not be a part of the team's long-term plans as they aim to get younger.
Hayes was previously acquired from the Winnipeg Jets and has been with the Philadelphia team since 2019, traded in exchange for a 5th-round pick.
Now that Columbus is out of the picture, it appears that Hayes may be a candidate for a buyout and may not be a Flyer for much longer. Although the buyout will cost Philadelphia $1.6 million over six seasons, it will ultimately save the Flyers considerably, despite the total package being worth $9.6 million.
It remains to be seen what will happen to Hayes and his future with the Philadelphia team.