Former Blues Forward Shockingly Signs With Russian Team

On Tuesday, the KHL announced that long-time NHLer and former St. Louis Blues forward Kevin Hayes has signed with Ak Bars Kazan in Russia. 

Hayes played just one season with the Blues, acquired in a trade for a sixth-round pick, scoring 13 goals and 29 points in 79 games during the 2023-24 season. Following his lone season with the Blues, he played two years with the Pittsburgh Penguins before moving to the KHL.

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In total, Hayes played 805 games in the NHL, scoring 185 goals and 446 points. Throughout his career, Hayes spent five seasons with the New York Rangers, half a season with the Winnipeg Jets, four seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, one season with the Blues, and two seasons with the Penguins. 

Although he never played with the Chicago Blackhawks, he was originally drafted by them in 2010. Hayes elected to play four years in the NCAA with Boston College before signing with the Rangers as a free agent. 

Hayes was traded four times in his NHL career and earned just under $70 million through contracts during his NHL career. 

Hayes’ contract with Ak Bars is reportedly a one-year deal. 

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Ak Bars’ roster features several former NHLers and several NHL-drafted prospects. The team finished second in its division and third in its conference last year, losing in the KHL finals to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. 

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