Kevin Hayes Heads to Kazan
Kevin Hayes, a 12-season NHL veteran, has signed a one-year contract with Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL, as confirmed by multiple reports. The hockey league announced the signing on its English-language social media channels, noting Hayes's move to the Russian club.
Hayes, 34, spent the 2025-26 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he appeared in 28 games and recorded four goals and eight points. He was primarily used as a reserve forward and did not play in the 2026 playoffs, a season in which the Penguins made a surprising return to the postseason.
A Career Full of Twists
Hayes's NHL journey has been marked by changing teams and highs and lows. Originally drafted in the first round of the 2010 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, he never signed with them and instead opted to stay at Boston College for four years. He signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent in 2014, marking the beginning of a career that would also include stints with the Winnipeg Jets, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, and the Penguins.
He was traded to the Jets at the 2019 trade deadline, later signed a massive seven-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. During his time in Philadelphia, Hayes recorded his best season in 2022-23 with 54 points but also had a career-worst -22 rating. He was also traded to the Blues after that season and then to Penguins in 2024.
After a challenging 2021-22 season, Hayes was named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Trophy, which honors perseverance, perseverance and dedication to hockey.
A New Challenge in Russia
Ak Bars Kazan finished last season with a narrow miss in the Gagarin Cup Final, falling to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in six games. The team is considered a strong contender, and Hayes could see significant playing time, possibly joining fellow ex-NHL players such as Grigori Denisenko, Sasha Chmelevski, and Kirill Semyonov.
Hayes's new deal is for one year, and the move could be a step toward returning to the NHL if he performs well. In his previous season with the Penguins (2024-25), he collected 13 goals and 23 points in 64 games, showing he can still produce at a top level.
Career Highlights and Numbers
Across 805 career NHL games, Hayes has tallied 185 goals, 445 points, and 233 penalty minutes. In 56 playoff contests, he has recorded eight goals and 26 points. His best playoff run came in 2020, when he posted 13 points in 16 games with the Flyers.
At 6-foot-3 and 217 pounds, Hayes has built his game around a two-way style, combining offense and defense. He was known as a reliable depth player throughout his NHL tenure.