Kevin Hayes Denounces Links To Him In Cutter Gauthier Trade
Kevin Hayes is unfortunately getting wrapped into the Cutter Gauthier trade. The former Flyers forward was asked about his involvement in the 2022 lottery pick’s decision to want out of Philly. Hayes did not mince words. Check out his response below:
“It’s completely false,” he said, according to Matthew DeFranks of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “One-hundred percent false. I don’t know where he got that information from. I took that kid golfing once. The coach at BC asked me to take him golfing just to chat with him. He played nine holes and he went home. I sent him a text after he won World Juniors saying, ‘Congrats.’ I told him if he ever had any issues or problems, when I was with Philly, I felt like I was doing Philly a good service by helping out their fifth overall pick. Never once said a negative thing about Torts. Never once said a negative thing about the organization. I reached out to Danny B last night, told him exactly what I’m telling you.
“Yeah, I think it’s complete bulls—, honestly. I think those two guys acted like complete pieces of s—, to be honest, making s— up. Now, I’m going to bed and waking up with death threats and people want my family dead and people that are happy that my brother’s dead. I think it’s completely insane that this guy can say something like that.”
Kevin Hayes via Matthew DeFranks, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
This was a response to Crossing Broad, a Philadelphia sports blog. Personality Anthony SanFilippo initially brought the rumors to life in a video linked below:
"I talked to somebody in the organization…Kevin Hayes' fingerprints are all over this." – @AntSanPhilly on the Cutter Gauthier trade
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) January 9, 2024
(via @SnowTheGoalie) pic.twitter.com/2Czfxdwh88
The Good, Bad And Ugly:
The whole trade was already a messy situation, but this makes it even worse–stuff like this is why Philly fans have the reputation they have. Why in the world would they go after Kevin Hayes, a guy who spent years in the organization, despite a tough exit last summer? The Hayes family will always have grief to carry with the loss of Jimmy, and the fans who were involved in this should be ashamed of themselves.
Even Crossing Broad should get some shame for this. It’s tough to lose a talented prospect, but it was clearly for in-house reasons. I personally have a lot of respect for Kevin Hayes (even as an Islanders fan), and hope he and his family are doing well navigating through this.
Yes, there was absolute tension between him and John Tortorella. But he’s not the only player to ever have problems with Torts–the team gave him a fresh start in St. Louis and he is trying to make the most of it.
The Cutter Gauthier trade has a lot of ripple effects. Unfortunately, more hatred is falling at Kevin Hayes’ feet despite leaving the Flyers months ago. He lashed out to these accusations in no uncertain terms.
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