Winning In Kazan?

Consider me surprised when I read the news of Kevin Hayes signing in the KHL with Ak Bars Kazan. I would have never guessed that Hayes, who has represented the United States on the ice, would look to Russia for his next contract, but the 34 year-old forward will make the hump after signing a one-year deal. Of course, the image to the left isn't what you'd expect to see on a hockey blog, but that would be Kevin Hayes on July 16, 2023 when he married his wife, Katya Vasilyev, while a member of the St. Louis Blues, and she reportedly played a key role in convincing Hayes to take the contract from the Russian club after offers from NHL teams weren't forthcoming.

According to multiple websites, Hayes said in the Ak Bars Kazan announcement, "My wife is from Russia, and she has always wanted me to play here. An exciting new chapter is beginning for our whole family, and we're all very happy about it." Good for him. Nobody should sneer at a guy chasing something his family wants."

Far be it from me to call out a player's wife for helping her husband choose where he plays, but I'm not quite convinced the "my wife is from Russia" part is true considering that her Boston College athlete biography lists her hometown as Foster City, California. She was born in Moscow according to a YouTube interview, but her being from Russia seems like a bit of a stretch. However, I'm not here to throw shade on a family's decision to play in Russia, so I wish them well.

Hayes joins an Ak Bars Kazan team that lost in the Gagarin Cup Final last season to Lokomotiv, but they were the third-best team in the KHL's Eastern Conference with a 38-17-5-8 record. He joins a team that boasts noted bully Mitchell Miller, playmaking defender Nikita Lyamkin, and skilled forwards Kirill Semyonov and Alexander Barabanov. Head coach Anvar Gatiyatulin was named the KHL Coach of the Year last season, so it seems like Hayes is in a good spot.

For a guy who has had one NHL season where he scored more than 50 points and just where he scored more than 20 goals over his twelve years in the show, there was zero chance that he would see a big day in the NHL as a 34 year-old free agent. He might have found work in the NHL this season if he accepted a PTO or took a bonus-filled contract that paid a low base salary, but Hayes chose the guaranteed money that the KHL's Ak Bars Kazan was offering this season.

We've seen players head over to the KHL and find a home where they can thrive. 33 year-old Josh Leivo has had two solid seasons in the KHL with Salavat Yulaev Ufa and Traktor Chelyabinsk where he scored 80 and 65 points, respectively, which was better than any total he put up as a professional hockey player in North America. Hayes obviosuly needs to find his game alongside his teammates, but he scored 27 goals and 65 points in 40 games for Boston College.

Clearly, this is an adventure that Kevin and Katya want as they move from the east coast to 850kms east of Moscow. No one is promising that anything will be easy, but he's joining a solid team that needs a replacement for Nathan Todd who moved to Metallurg Magnitogorsk. If Hayes can be that guy, Ak Bars Kazan will be in a good position to battle their way back to a second Gagarin Cup Final this year.

And if things go well, Hayes could be hoisting the trophy at the end of the campaign, proving that listening to his wife was the best decision he made when it comes to his professional hockey career.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!