Kevin Hayes who is a grizzled veteran in the National Hockey League found himself out of the lineup with the acquisition of Egor Chinakhov and the surge of the kid line and success found between the line of Anthony Mantha, Tommy Novak and Justin Brazeau.
Since Hayes came out of the lineup the Penguins went on a six game win streak and found the ability to put the puck in the net and play smart two way transition hockey with more younger and faster players who can contribute and they could play four solid lines of good hockey. The ability to do that makes them a good team who can beat anyone, as they showed that exactly when they took down division rivals in the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils as of recent.
With the injury to forward Bryan Rust (foot - lower body injury) suffered during the January 8, game against the New Jersey Devils, Head Coach Dan Muse decided it was Kevin Hayes turn to come back in the lineup.
Kevin Hayes being in the lineup brings a very funny but crazy statistic that Penguins fans continue to shake their heads at.
When Kevin Hayes is IN the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup, their record is, as of the loss to the Boston Bruins on January 11, 6-10-7.
When Kevin Hayes is NOT in the Penguins lineup, their record is, as of January 11, 15-4-2.
January 11, was a huge milestone for the Hayes family as Kevin played in his 800th National Hockey League game. His entire family, extended family and cousins were in the building to surprise him for the game.
In his 800th game, Kevin contributed 10:19 TOI, one shot on goal, one block, one hit and some miscues on both sides of the ice that didn't help the team who also laid a big donut in a 1-0 defeat to Boston.
With the Penguins continuing to approach the Olympic Break and a decision based on if they are in a playoff spot or not, it comes with the question of what is Kevin Hayes future realistically when Bryan Rust returns to the lineup and Hayes returns to the press box?
There is logically two ways to go about it, firstly if you can jettison his contract for very little is a win in any sense for the future and the money aspect of it cap wise to acquire assets at the Trade Deadline. Secondly if you are in a position or mindset to TANK, then you ice him every game and see if you can build some or any value out of him.
The direction Kyle Dubas wants to go in does not make sense if he really means it as each day passes and Hayes continues to put on the Penguins sweater and hinders the Youth Movement and the current lineup.