Sports · Olympics · published 2026-08-26 · via Sports Illustrated

Kevin Hayes Joins KHL as More NHL Veterans Head Overseas

Former NHL forward Kevin Hayes has signed a one-year contract with AK Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League for the 2026-27 season. The move reflects a trend of former NHL players heading to leagues abroad, with roughly 500 such players competing in various European leagues last season. Hayes, 34, had 446 points in 805 career NHL games before his contract expired.

Expanded Detail

EXPANDED:

Hayes's move to Kazan marks a significant shift in his career geography, as the KHL's 22-team structure spans four countries with travel distances exceeding 4,000 miles between some venues. His 805-game NHL tenure and 446 career points contrast sharply with his final season, where he managed just eight points in 28 games as his $50 million contract expired.

The trend extends well beyond Hayes, with roughly 500 former NHL players competing in European leagues last season. Andrew Poturalski exemplifies this path: a

Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.

Read the full article at Sports Illustrated →

This summary is Al-enhanced to contain extended analysis and broader social context. The original is {NAME); the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “How Many Former NHL Players Like Kevin Hayes Have Contracts in Russia? Puck Drop.” Browse more stories.