Flyers are waiting for the free agent Hayes de Jets

The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired free and stand-up central player Kevin Hayes, a free Winnipeg Jets player, for a fifth round pick in 2019 on Monday.

"By getting Kevin's rights right now, it gives us an opportunity to negotiate with him before July 1, when he becomes an unrestricted free agent," said Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher.

Hayes, a 27-year-old center, is expected to generate a lot of interest in the free agent market.

He played 71 games between the New York Rangers and the Jets last season, with 19 goals and 36 assists. He had 13 points in 20 games with the Jets after the Rangers sent him to Winnipeg on February 25 for Brendan Lemieux, Winnipeg's first pick in the NHL draft in 2019 and a fourth-round pick (conditional) in 2022. He had two goals and one assist in six playoff games for Winnipeg, eliminated in six games by the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the playoffs.

The trade could allow Hayes to find his former Rangers coach, Alain Vigneault, who was hired by the Flyers after the season.