KEVIN HAYES NEWS

Removed from IR Hayes (upper body) was activated from injured reserve ahead of Saturday's matchup against Utah.

Impact The Penguins assigned Vasily Ponomarev to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in a corresponding move. Hayes will return from an eight-game absence versus Utah on Saturday. He has earned three goals, one assist, 15 shots on net and seven hits in 14 appearances this season.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Not returning Friday Hayes (upper body) remains on injured reserve and won't play Friday versus the Jets, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Hayes was considered a game-time decision, but the Penguins may not want to put him in line to play on back-to-back days right after an injury. Friday will be his eighth straight absence, and he should be considered questionable to play Saturday versus Utah.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Considered game-time call Hayes (upper body) will be a game-time decision versus Winnipeg on Friday, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

Impact Hayes will need to be activated off injured prior to suiting up in a contest, including Friday's matchup with Winnipeg. While sidelined due to his upper-body injury, the 32-year-old center has missed the previous seven contests. Even before getting hurt, Hayes was stuck in a six-game pointless streak dating back to Oct. 22 versus Calgary.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Tuesday Hayes (upper body) will not suit up for Tuesday's home game versus the Lightning, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Hayes will miss a seventh consecutive game, but he skated with the group Tuesday, a positive sign in his recovery. The left-shot forward could replace Samuel Poulin or Matt Nieto in the lineup when he's ready to return. Hayes has accounted for three goals and an assist through 14 games.

NOVEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Penguins F Kevin Hayes (upper body) week-to-week The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward Kevin Hayes on injured reserve Monday with an upper-body injury.The move is retroactive to his last a...

NOVEMBER 11 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Lands on IR Hayes (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Monday.

Impact Hayes is week-to-week, and his move to the IR list allowed the Penguins to recall Samuel Poulin from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Monday. The 32-year-old Hayes has three goals, one assist, 15 shots on net and seven hits through 14 outings this season. Valtteri Puustinen will probably continue to see playing time during Hayes' absence, but Poulin could compete for a roster spot.

NOVEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Deemed week-to-week Hayes (upper body) has been downgraded to week-to-week by coach Mike Sullivan, per Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site.

Impact Hayes has already missed the Pens' last two games with an upper-body injury, and it appears he could be slated for an extended absence. The 32-year-old Hayes had three goals and four points in his first 14 games with Pittsburgh. Blake Lizotte figures to remain in the lineup in Hayes' absence.

NOVEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Out Friday Hayes (upper body) won't play Friday against Washington, according to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com.

Impact It will be Pittsburgh's second straight game without Hayes. He has three goals and four points in 14 appearances in 2024-25. Hayes will likely serve in a bottom-six capacity once he's healthy.

NOVEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable Thursday Hayes (upper body) will be absent from the lineup versus Carolina on Thursday, per Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff.

Impact Hayes was likely injured Tuesday in a 4-3 shootout loss to Calgary as he missed practice the following day. The 32-year-old has three goals and an assist in 14 contests this season. He is day-to-day and could return Friday in Washington.

NOVEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with upper-body issue Hayes missed practice Wednesday and is being evaluated for an upper-body issue, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

Impact Hayes started the 2024-25 strong with four points in his first eight games but is currently mired in a six-game pointless streak during which he has recorded a mere three shots. If Hayes does miss any time, Valtteri Puustinen should get back into the lineup unless Bryan Rust (lower body) is cleared to return.

NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Plucks apple in shootout loss Hayes notched an assist in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Flames.

Impact Hayes set up a Rickard Rakell goal in the third period just after a Penguins power play expired. The helper was Hayes' first of the year to go with three goals through eight contests. The bottom-six forward has added 12 shots on net, five hits and a minus-4 rating. He's a two-time 20-goal scorer, but he'll struggle to reach that mark if he continues to see roughly 10 minutes per game.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Scores power-play goal Sunday Hayes scored his third goal of the season in Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Jets.

Impact Hayes opened the scoring in the second period after being set up by Rickard Rakell on the man advantage. Hayes added two shots, one hit and a minus-1 rating in 9:54 of ice time. The 32-year-old forward is up to three goals through seven contests, but he's yet to register an assist. Hayes has been fairly durable over the course of his career, so he could push for the 20-goal mark if he can keep spot on the second power-play unit.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Winnipeg Jets continue season-opening win streak with 6-3 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins

Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton scored a pair of quick third-period goals to help the Winnipeg Jets defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 to remain the only unbeaten NHL team

OCTOBER 20 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pots game-winning goal Hayes scored a goal on two shots and had two hits in Monday's 6-3 win over the Canadiens.

Impact Hayes potted the game-winning tally early in the third period, when the Penguins ran away from the pesky Habs. It was the second goal of the season for Hayes, who's opened the season on the fourth line and is averaging a career-low 11:10 of ice time.

OCTOBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Eller scores 2 goals, Malkin has goal and 2 assists as Penguins beat Canadiens 6-3

Lars Eller had two goals against his former team, Evgeni Malkin had a goal and two assists, and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Montreal Canadiens 6-3

OCTOBER 15 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nets first goal with new team Hayes scored a goal on three shots in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Red Wings.

Impact Hayes provided some insurance in the third period after the Red Wings looked to threaten for a comeback. The 32-year-old was traded to Pittsburgh by St. Louis at the draft in June, and he's now on his third team in three years. Just two years ago, he had 18 goals and 54 points in 81 appearances with the Flyers, but he followed it up with a career-worst 29-point campaign with the Blues in 2023-24. Hayes has played on the fourth line with the Penguins so far, though he's also seeing power-play time that could help him provide decent offense.

OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Beauvillier, Blomqvist help Penguins rebound from opening loss with 6-3 victory over Red Wings

Anthony Beauvillier scored twice, Joel Blomqvist made 29 saves in his NHL debut and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Detroit Red Wings 6-3 on Thursday night

OCTOBER 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

St. Louis Blues loaded up aiming for a return to the playoffs after 2 years out

The St. Louis Blues are hoping to get back into the playoffs after missing out the past two seasons

OCTOBER 1 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gaudreau brothers are mourned by the hockey community, family and friends as 'linemates forever'

John and Matthew Gaudreau were remembered as loving brothers and husbands who put family above hockey and everything else at their tearful funeral, a week and a half after they die...

SEPTEMBER 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Penguins acquire F Kevin Hayes, pick from Blues The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired veteran forward Kevin Hayes and 2025 second-round draft pick from the St.Louis Blues on Saturday in exchang...

JUNE 29 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Penguins Acquire Forward Kevin Hayes and a 2025 Second-Round Draft Pick From St. Louis | Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired forward Kevin Hayes and a 2025 second-round draft pick (St. Louis’) from the St. Louis Blues in exchan...

JUNE 29 • NHL.COM

Traded to Penguins Hayes was traded to Pittsburgh on Saturday, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Impact A second-round pick in 2025 goes with him, but it's the dreaded "future considerations" headed the other way in what's ostensibly a salary dump by the Blues. Hayes doesn't do much with the puck. He's not a fast skater, doesn't use his size and can't forecheck. But he can become a bottom-six pivot in Pittsburgh behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin where he won't be expected to provide offense.

JUNE 29 • ROTOWIRE

Inconsistent with Blues Hayes posted 13 goals and 16 assists across 79 games during the 2023-24 season.

Impact Hayes centered the third line for most of the season, and his limited playing time -- he averaged 14:28 of ice time -- led to the worst scoring performance of his career. The 31-year-old ended up being a healthy scratch three times in April. Hayes has two years remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $3.6 million per year, and the Blues may want that contract off their books as they try to inject youth into their lineup during this rebuild.

APRIL 24 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Thursday Hayes is dealing with an illness Wednesday and is questionable for Thursday's game against Nashville, per Lou Korac of NHL.com.

Impact Hayes has 13 goals and 29 points in 75 appearances this season. If he doesn't play Thursday, then Zachary Bolduc might draw back into the lineup.

APRIL 3 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in win Hayes scored the Blues' first goal in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Ducks.

Impact That goal is Hayes' 13th goal and 27th point of the season. While the totals aren't gaudy, he's on something of a mini-hot streak. In the last four games, he's put up two goals and four points with 12 shots and a plus-5 rating. That's not exactly superstar-level production, but he's provided depth value recently, even if he had just one goal and no assists in the 10 games prior to this run.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE