Penguins rumors: Pittsburgh won’t re-sign veteran UFA forward this summer

The Pittsburgh Penguins are not expected to re-sign veteran forward Kevin Hayes before he reaches unrestricted free agency on July 1, Josh Yohe of The Athletic reported last week. The 34-year-old center completed the final season of the seven-year, $50 million contract he originally signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2019.

Hayes joined Pittsburgh in June 2024 after the St. Louis Blues traded him along with a second-round pick to the Penguins for future considerations. Philadelphia had already retained 50 percent of his salary when moving him to St. Louis in 2023, leaving Pittsburgh responsible for a reduced cap hit of $3.57 million.

During the 2024-25 campaign, Hayes mainly skated alongside Philip Tomasino and Drew O’Connor and produced 13 goals and 22 assists. However, his role declined significantly in 2025-26. Hayes appeared in only 28 games, recording four goals and four assists for eight points, the lowest points-per-game rate of his 12 NHL seasons at 0.29. He also found far less success in the faceoff circle, as his percentage dropped from 52.2% the previous season to 40.3%.

Injuries were another factor that affected his availability. Hayes missed the opening month of the season because of an upper-body injury and later missed additional time in March with another lower-body issue. Even when healthy, he was scratched from the lineup multiple times and played only seven games after the Christmas break.

Another element in the Penguins’ decision not to bring back Hayes appears to be the team’s overall depth. The organization already re-signed Connor Dewar and is expected to bring back restricted free agent Egor Chinakhov. Prospects Benjamin Kindel and Rutger McGroarty are projected to claim roster spots, while Tristan Broz, Ville Koivunen, Bill Zonnon, and Avery Hayes are also competing for bottom-six roles.

Hayes has played more than 800 NHL games since being selected 24th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2010 NHL Draft. Over his career with the New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, Flyers, Blues, and Penguins, he has recorded 185 goals and 261 assists for 446 points.

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