The free agency period in the NHL begins on July 1st, but the Philadelphia Flyers have already gotten off to a head start from the other teams. Late Tuesday night, the Flyers agreed to a deal with forward Kevin Hayes, who will now avoid being a part of any of the free agent shenanigans. The contract is for seven years, is worth $50 million, and was made official on Wednesday. Despite the announcement, it cannot be signed and made officially official until after the free agent period begins.
Hayes is now expected to make $7.14 million per season, which is good for 18th among NHL centers, and ranks third on the Flyers' roster. Only Claude Giroux at $8.275 million and Jakub Voracek at $8.25 million make more for Philadelphia. This is a major upgrade for the former New York Ranger and Winnipeg Jet, who made $3.75 million per season in his previous contract.
The Flyers did acquire the negotiating rights from the Jets on June 3rd, but that did guaranteed anything until the news came out on Tuesday. Hayes has played in 381 career NHL games, recording 92 goals and 137 assists after getting drafted 24th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2010 NHL Draft. He spent three seasons with the Blackhawks before signing with the Rangers in 2014, and then was dealt to the Jets at the trade deadline last season. This recent signing reunites him with head coach Alain Vigneault, whom he played under in New York. Those two will be seeing a lot of their former place of employment this upcoming season.
Hayes is now expected to make $7.14 million per season, which is good for 18th among NHL centers, and ranks third on the Flyers' roster. Only Claude Giroux at $8.275 million and Jakub Voracek at $8.25 million make more for Philadelphia. This is a major upgrade for the former New York Ranger and Winnipeg Jet, who made $3.75 million per season in his previous contract.
The Flyers did acquire the negotiating rights from the Jets on June 3rd, but that did guaranteed anything until the news came out on Tuesday. Hayes has played in 381 career NHL games, recording 92 goals and 137 assists after getting drafted 24th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2010 NHL Draft. He spent three seasons with the Blackhawks before signing with the Rangers in 2014, and then was dealt to the Jets at the trade deadline last season. This recent signing reunites him with head coach Alain Vigneault, whom he played under in New York. Those two will be seeing a lot of their former place of employment this upcoming season.
