Kevin Hayes has retired at 34, ending his playing career months after leaving Dan Muse and the Pittsburgh Penguins for Russia.
The veteran forward's stay with Ak Bars Kazan lasted only five KHL games. Hayes went without a point before deciding he could no longer play at the level he expected from himself.
It's a stunning ending considering Hayes had only signed a one-year contract with Ak Bars on August 25. The move overseas looked like a chance to extend his career after his NHL opportunities dried up.
Instead, Hayes told the club he was walking away. He explained that the decision was made with his family before he approached the coaching staff and management.
His explanation also carried some weight. Hayes acknowledged that his body was no longer allowing him to correct the direction his game was heading.
"I have decided to end my hockey career. I can no longer play at the level I am capable of because my body does not allow me to perform at my best. And I cannot accept not being in top form."
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That closes the book on a professional run that included 12 NHL seasons and stops with the New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Kevin Hayes walks away after 805 NHL games
Hayes leaves behind 185 goals and 261 assists across 805 NHL regular-season games. He also produced 26 points in 56 playoff appearances.
His final NHL season showed how quickly his role had changed. Hayes dressed for only 28 games with Pittsburgh in 2025-26, finishing with 4 goals and 4 assists.
That reduced workload helped push him toward a fresh start overseas. But the reset never gained traction, and five scoreless appearances in Russia became the final games of his career.
Hayes' NHL path was anything but ordinary. Chicago selected him 24th overall in 2010, but he never played for the Blackhawks and eventually entered the league with the Rangers.
His biggest contract came in Philadelphia, where the Flyers signed him to a seven-year, $50 million deal in 2019. That agreement followed a short stint with Winnipeg.
By the time Hayes reached Pittsburgh, his role had shifted toward the bottom six as injuries and declining usage changed the direction of his career.
Now there's no comeback attempt coming. Hayes has made the call himself, turning a five-game KHL experiment into the final chapter for one of the NHL's most recognizable veteran forwards.
Did Kevin Hayes retire earlier than you expected?
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