Hayes (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Hayes is week-to-week, and his move to the IR list allowed the Penguins to recall Samuel Poulin from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Monday. The 32-year-old Hayes has three goals, one assist, 15 shots on net and seven hits through 14 outings this season. Valtteri Puustinen will probably continue to see playing time during Hayes' absence, but Poulin could compete for a spot in the lineup.

Hayes (upper body) has been downgraded to week-to-week by coach Mike Sullivan, per Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site.

EDGE Analysis

Hayes has already missed the Pens' last two games with an upper-body injury, and it appears he could be slated for an extended absence. The 32-year-old Hayes had three goals and four points in his first 14 games with Pittsburgh. Blake Lizotte figures to remain in the lineup in Hayes' absence.

Hayes (upper body) won't play Friday against Washington, according to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com.

EDGE Analysis

It will be Pittsburgh's second straight game without Hayes. He has three goals and four points in 14 appearances in 2024-25. Hayes will likely serve in a bottom-six capacity once he's healthy.

Hayes (upper body) will be absent from the lineup versus Carolina on Thursday, per Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff.

EDGE Analysis

Hayes was likely injured Tuesday in a 4-3 shootout loss to Calgary, as he missed practice the following day. The 32-year-old has three goals and an assist in 14 contests this season. He is day-to-day and could return Friday in Washington.

Hayes missed practice Wednesday and is being evaluated for an upper-body issue, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hayes started the 2024-25 strong with four points in his first eight games but is currently mired in a six-game drought, during which he has recorded a mere three shots. If Hayes misses any time, Valtteri Puustinen should get back into the lineup unless Bryan Rust (lower body) is cleared to return.

Hayes notched an assist in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Flames.

EDGE Analysis

Hayes set up a Rickard Rakell goal in the third period just after a Penguins power play expired. The helper was Hayes' first of the year to go with three goals through eight contests. The bottom-six forward has added 12 shots on net, five hits and a minus-4 rating. He's a two-time 20-goal scorer, but he'll struggle to reach that mark if he continues to see roughly 10 minutes per game.

Hayes scored his third goal of the season in Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Hayes opened the scoring in the second period after being set up by Rickard Rakell on the man advantage. Hayes added two shots, one hit and a minus-1 rating in 9:54 of ice time. The 32-year-old forward is up to three goals through seven contests, but he's yet to register an assist. Hayes has been fairly durable over the course of his career, so he could push for the 20-goal mark if he can keep spot on the second power-play unit.

Hayes scored a goal on two shots and had two hits in Monday's 6-3 win over the Canadiens.

EDGE Analysis

Hayes potted the game-winning tally early in the third period, when the Penguins ran away from the pesky Habs. It was the second goal of the season for Hayes, who's opened the season on the fourth line and is averaging a career-low 10:36 of ice time.

Hayes was traded to Pittsburgh from St. Louis for future considerations Saturday, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

EDGE Analysis

A second-round pick in 2025 goes with him, but it's the dreaded "future considerations" headed the other way in what's ostensibly a salary dump by the Blues. Hayes doesn't do much with the puck. He's not a fast skater, doesn't use his size and can't forecheck. But he can become a bottom-six pivot in Pittsburgh behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, as he won't be expected to provide offense.

Hayes posted 13 goals and 16 assists across 79 games during the 2023-24 season.

EDGE Analysis

Hayes centered the third line for most of the campagin, and his limited playing time -- he averaged 14:28 of ice time -- led to the worst scoring performance of his career. The 31-year-old ended up being a healthy scratch three times in April. Hayes has two years remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $3.6 million per year, and the Blues may want that salary off their books as they try to inject youth into their lineup during this rebuild.