Each NHL team’s worst contract heading into the 2019-20 season

Philadelphia Flyers – Kevin Hayes

Contract: $7.142857 million cap hit over the next seven years; full NMC for the first three years, modified NTC (12-team no-trade list) for the next four

Before this year, the easy answer for the Philadelphia Flyers when the “worst contract” discussion came up was Andrew MacDonald. However, the Flyers bought him out this summer, so he’s no longer an option. This leaves Philadelphia with no ridiculous deals. However, Hayes deal, signed earlier this offseason, doesn’t look like a very good one.

It’s worth noting he’s 27 years old, so this deal should look better than most long-term deals signed in free agency. However, let’s take a look at Hayes’ career highs.

• Goals: 25 (2017-18)
• Assists: 36 (2018-19)
• Points: 55 (2018-19)

Hayes has only reached the 50 point plateau once in his career – last season. However, he has gotten at least 40 points in all but one of his five career seasons, which isn’t too shabby. But is that worth over $7 million a year? Probably not.

That said, Hayes does bring a lot of value outside of production. He’s a pretty strong defensive forward who can drive possession on both sides of the ice, though he’s more effective at doing so on defense.

In a vacuum, Hayes deal makes sense. The Flyers needed a second-line center. Nolan Patrick clearly wasn’t the answer. The Flyers want to contend right now, so they had no real choice but to sign Hayes. There are far worse deals than his around the league. If Hayes’ deal is the worst one on your team, you’re in pretty good shape.