Veteran forward Kevin Hayes will be continuing his career in Russia.
The 34-year-old winger signed a one-year deal with the KHL’s Ak Bars Kazan on Tuesday, leaving the NHL after 12 seasons in the league.
Hayes spent the past two years with the Pittsburgh Penguins but appeared in just 28 games this past season, posting four goals and eight points on the campaign.
He became an unrestricted free agent on July 1 as the seven-year, $50 million contract he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2019 expired. The deal carried a cap hit of $7.14 million, though half of it was retained by Philadelphia when Hayes was dealt to the St. Louis Blues in 2023.
Selected 24th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2010 draft, Hayes leaves the NHL with 185 goals and 445 points in 805 career games.
He did not appear in a game with the Blackhawks, instead making his debut with the New York Rangers in 2014. He also spent time with the Winnipeg Jets, Flyers, Blues and Penguins over his career.
