Report: Flyers, Kevin Hayes Could be Headed for Buyout

Kevin Hayes has been the Philadelphia Flyers’ most productive offensive player with 29 points in 31 games. But three benchings, and coach John Tortorella’s complaints about his defense and play without the puck have stirred trade rumors.

The winger/center has a limited no-trade clause.

There is also speculation that the Flyers will buy out the final three years of his Hayes’ contract.

On his “32 Thoughts” podcast Monday, the highly respected Elliotte Friedman said: “I’m sure in Tortorella’s eyes, he says, ‘I’ve warned you, I’ve warned you, and it didn’t get any better.’ And Hayes I’m sure is saying, ‘Look, I’m scoring.  This team isn’t winning games. How does it help the team (to bench him?’) He’s like any other player.  He doesn’t want to get benched.”

Said Friedman: “I looked at Hayes’ contract. In his deal, there’s about 14 million in bonuses. Almost all of that is paid off. … I have to tell you, I can’t help but look at this contract and say, is this going to be a buyout at the end of the year? At  the end of the year if he gets bought out, he’ll make slightly more that 2 million a season on average.”

The $ numbers

If the Philadelphia Flyers bought out Hayes’ final three years, it would be spread out over six years. According to CapFriendly, they would absorb a cap hit of $2.25 million next year, followed by cap hits of $4.75 million in each of the next two years, and cap hits of $1.6 million over each of the final three years.

Hayes’ current cap hit is $7.1 million.

Friedman said he wants to be “supportive” of Hayes because of all he has endured over the last year. He was referring to his brother’s tragic death.

He noted, however, that reality may cause a split between him and the Philadelphia Flyers.

“If this is a marriage that’s not going to work, maybe this is the solution where he gets bought out and starts somewhere else,” Friedman said.

Hayes was a healthy scratch as the Flyers lost to the Rangers on Saturday, 6-3.

At Monday’s practice in Voorhees, Hayes was the left winger on a line with Scott Laughton and Zack MacEwen.

The Philadelphia Flyers (10-15-7) host Johnny Gaudreau and the Columbus Blue Jackets (10-18-2) on Tuesday. The Blue Jackets are in the eighth and final spot in the Metropolitan Division; the Flyers are in seventh place.

The Jackets won two earlier-season games against Philly in Columbus, 5-2, and 5-4, in overtime.