In a notable trade move, the St. Louis Blues have traded veteran center Kevin Hayes and a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The trade, which did not involve any salary retention, was confirmed by a league source to The Athletic.

Hayes, 32, joined the Blues last offseason after being acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick. Expected to provide valuable veteran depth at center, Hayes fell short of expectations during the season. Despite leading the team in faceoff wins with an impressive 57 percent winning percentage, his lack of speed became a concern. As a result, he was a healthy scratch for multiple games towards the end of the season, despite the Blues' playoff aspirations.

This trade allows the Blues to unload Hayes' $3.571 million salary while also parting ways with a player who was not considered part of their future plans. The move frees up $16.2 million in cap space for the Blues, who currently have 18 players under contract for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

In the lineup, the Blues have acquired Alexandre Texier from the Columbus Blue Jackets, who is expected to fill in the wing position in the middle six. As for the center position on the third line, it remains to be seen who will step in. There is a possibility that Brayden Schenn could fill the role if the team decides to move Pavel Buchnevich to the second-line center position.

The Penguins, on the other hand, benefit from this trade by acquiring a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft from the Blues without giving up any current assets. This aligns with the goals of Penguins' general manager Kyle Dubas, who aims to stockpile picks and prospects. While Hayes may not be the player he once was, the Penguins' lackluster bottom six could potentially see an improvement with his arrival, despite concerns about his foot speed.

With the trade complete, the Blues have positioned themselves with ample cap space to pursue a center in the upcoming free agency, which begins on Monday. This trade signifies the Blues' intent to rebuild and make necessary changes to their roster, as they part ways with a player who did not align with their future plans.

Overall, the trade of Kevin Hayes from the St. Louis Blues to the Pittsburgh Penguins not only allows the Blues to shed salary and create cap space but also gives the Penguins an opportunity to add depth to their lineup. Only time will tell how this trade ultimately impacts both teams moving forward.