Joined: Mar. 2017
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 2,880
I've never quite understood the reasoning behind Hayes' contract being "negative value". Like all UFAs, you have to pay a premium to get them. 7.14M is a little pricey, but looking at what he's been for the Flyers, I don't think it's a "bad" deal. His first season with Philadelphia was great - solid 0.60 PPG, 20-goal scorer, and could run the PK/PP. He was consistent and solid contributer.
The next year was the COVID year and the entire team fell off. All the momentum from the 2019-2020 year was gone. This past year he was dealing with multiple injuries and surgeries. When he returned, he had like 21 points in 27 games under Yeo.
I get he's getting more than what he would in a vacuum, but it's not the worst deal in the league.