Flyers turn to Kadri in urgent backup plan for possible failed Hayes trade

Fans across the National Hockey League were shocked on Monday to find out that the Winnipeg Jets had traded forward Kevin Hayes to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

The Flyers basically acquired his rights, seeing that Hayes is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and did not discuss the possibility of a long-term contract in Philadelphia before the trigger was pulled. 

While the Flyers hope to convince Hayes to stay in Philly and fill their No. 2 centre spot, Sam Carchidi of The Philadelphia Inquirer believes the team could pursue Nazem Kadri from the Toronto Maple Leafs to fill the void if ever the Flyers failed to sign Hayes. 

Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher admitted he was willing to trade the team's first-round pick last week at the Combine and Carchidi believes Kadri could fit what the team is looking for.

"We’d certainly consider trading our pick if can get a good player," Fletcher said. "I don’t think we’re looking to trade the 11th overall pick for a 31-year-old player with one year left on his deal, but if we can get a good player at the right stage of his career and with some term left on his contact, we’d certainly look at it.”

Kadri has been rumoured to be traded to the Jets, when controversial former NHLer Sean Avery posted a video on Tuesday night claiming a trade was in place between Winnipeg and Toronto. 

However, as of now, Kadri remains available and could be the target of the Flyers’ urgent backup plan if ever the Hayes trade becomes a failed move by Fletcher…