The Pittsburgh Penguins have made a significant move in their offseason by acquiring Kevin Hayes to strengthen their third-line center position. With the need for viable secondary scoring, the Penguins sought to address their decline over the past few years and make a change to their lineup.

Hayes, known for his defensive prowess, brings a necessary element to the Penguins' roster and locker room. However, it is important to note that his offensive production has seen a decline in recent seasons, especially since falling out of favor with Flyers coach John Tortorella in 2022-23. Last season, playing a bottom-six role on a fringe playoff team in St. Louis, Hayes recorded 29 points in 79 games. His linemates were a contributing factor to his limited offensive output.

Despite the concerns surrounding Hayes' offensive capabilities, the Penguins saw value in adding him as a fallback plan. His acquisition comes at a reasonable price, with a $3.57 million salary that does not strain the team's salary cap. Additionally, the inclusion of a second-round pick sweetener provides general manager Kyle Dubas an opportunity to rebuild the team's prospect base.

From the perspective of the St. Louis Blues, shedding Hayes' contract without retaining any salary is seen as a positive outcome. Considering that the contract did not align with their long-term plans, they were able to offload him while receiving a second-round pick in return.

Critics argue that Hayes may not be the ideal solution to the Penguins' third-line center issues. At 32 years old, his best years are likely behind him, and his offensive numbers from the previous season do not inspire confidence. Furthermore, given the team's historical struggles beyond the bottom six, there are doubts about Hayes' ability to drive offensive play.

It is worth noting that Hayes did demonstrate defensive stability last season, albeit in a role with easier usage. However, his relative defensive numbers should be evaluated cautiously, as his history in that regard is not extensive.

The addition of Hayes may not immediately solve the Penguins' problems, particularly after missing the playoffs last season. However, the inclusion of a free second-round pick sweetens the deal for both sides, making it a reasonable trade-off for the Penguins. While some may question the decision, the Penguins have taken a step towards addressing their third-line center need, while the Blues successfully shed a contract that no longer aligned with their plans.

As the offseason progresses, it remains to be seen how Hayes will integrate into the Penguins' lineup and whether he can provide the necessary offensive boost that the team requires to regain their competitive edge.