Former All-Star Forward Abruptly Retires At 34

Kevin Hayes' attempt to extend his career overseas lasted barely a month. 

The 34-year-old forward announced his retirement after just five scoreless games with Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL.

"I have decided to end my hockey career," Hayes said in a statement released by the league. "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."

A Fast Ending To A Late-Career Gamble

Hayes signed with Ak Bars in late August after hitting free agency on July 1 without landing an NHL contract. 

His final NHL season, split entirely with the Pittsburgh Penguins, had already been a rough one, limited to just 28 games with four goals and eight points. 

The move to Russia was a bet that he could still contribute somewhere, but he went without a point and finished with a minus-one rating across his five appearances before deciding he'd had enough.

After 861 games in NHL and 5 games in KHL, Kevin Hayes 🇺🇸 announced his retirement.

"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." pic.twitter.com/ItcQb18FA0

— KHL (@khl_eng) September 21, 2026

Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang, one of Hayes' former teammates, spoke to what he meant off the ice as much as on it. "He was an amazing person, obviously an amazing teammate," Letang said.

A 12-Year Career

Hayes retires with 805 NHL regular-season games under his belt, tallying 185 goals, 261 assists, and 446 points across stops with the New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, and Penguins. 

He added 26 points in 56 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Kevin Hayes officially announces his retirement. What a run, enjoy retirement Hayesy! 👏 pic.twitter.com/NqmAgPYVNY

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) September 21, 2026

A first-round pick by the Chicago Blackhawks at 24th overall in 2010, Hayes never actually played for the team that drafted him, instead breaking into the league with the Rangers in 2014-15 after his time at Boston College. 

His best individual season came in 2022-23 with Philadelphia, when he scored 18 goals and posted 54 points in 81 games, production that earned him his lone NHL All-Star selection. 

He'd signed a seven-year, $50 million contract with the Flyers back in 2019 before that deal expired this summer.