Kevin Hayes' tenure with the Flyers could be coming to an end, and he knows it.
Philadelphia Flyers interim general manager Danny Brière has made it crystal clear — a rebuild is coming, and the team is aiming to get younger as the organization makes sweeping changes from a yet-to-be-determined president of hockey operations to a new CEO and chairman in Dan Hilferty.
As the Flyers begin their transformation, several veteran players are now scratching their heads questioning where they belong in the team's plans.
But Kevin Hayes knows exactly where he stands. And it's likely not with the Flyers.
"I think you guys know how much I love it here. I signed here seven years. I absolutely love this organization," said Hayes during his exit interview Friday. "I thought Chuck (Fletcher) was great, I loved (Alain Vigneault). I know they both caught a lot of flack here from the fans and media. Danny (Brière) is great. The city's awesome. It's a sports town.
"I'm turning 31. I picked up the message that was sent months ago. I'm okay with it. It's their decision."
The message sent a few months ago is that Hayes, who signed with the Flyers in 2019, no longer fits within the squad's timeline. Hayes has struggled to get on the same page as head coach John Tortorella, and his ice time has suffered because of it.
In October, Hayes was benched for the third period of a tilt against the San Jose Sharks. Several weeks later, he was benched again in the third period against the New Jersey Devils. And finally, Tortorella opted to scratch Hayes — who was leading the team in points at the time — the following game against the New York Rangers.
Since then, it's been evident Hayes and Tortorella have been unable to mesh.
"It looks like the younger guys are playing. I don't know if they want a guy that's making the money that I'm making playing nine, 10 minutes a night," said Hayes.
"I don't make those decisions. They do. And I'm sure they have to make them pretty quickly. Draft's coming up."
Hayes, despite the cloudiness shrouding his future with the Flyers, still managed to put together the best statistical season of his career. He logged career highs in assists (36) and points (54) and was voted to the NHL All-Star Game for the first time in his career.
But despite the statistical success, he is unconvinced he'll be part of the solution moving forward.
"It is what it is. They need to go younger here if they want to win. That's how you win in this league. You've gotta rebuild, and that's what they're in now.
"As much as I would love to stay and help out, I have no idea if that's gonna be the case."
Hayes has three years remaining on his contract with an annual cap hit of $7,142,857. His contract also includes a 12-team no-trade list, which could greatly impact the Flyers' ability to move him as the draft nears.
If he does get moved, Hayes will finish his Flyers tenure with 63 goals and 157 points over a four-season span.