Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [News] Kevin Hayes signs with the Rangers

SuperMatt18 · 08-13-2014, 01:50 PM

I think Hayes is pretty good and could surprise

I look at somebody like Blake Wheeler who is a decent comparison for style and skillset.

Both big bodies (Wheeler: 6'5" 205 and Hayes 6'3" 205), didn't dominate the NCAA, took some time to adjust, needed to work on their skating, but put up decent stats and improved in their time in college.

Coming out of college both were seen as not living up to their draft position and ended up being UFAs.

Wheeler: Games:127 Points: 96 PPG: 0.76
Hayes: Games: 142 Points: 132 PPG: 0.93

Personally I think points in the NCAA can be very deceiving due to the difference in quality of competition and the amount of goals his team scores.

I wouldn't top Hayes out as just a 3rd liner because he had a poor first two seasons in the NCAA. The one thing with Wheeler is that from the day he was drafted to now his skating improved greatly, maybe Hayes can improve his skating a little and see similar benefits.

08-13-2014, 01:50 PM	#950
SuperMatt18 Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Calgary, AB Exp:	I think Hayes is pretty good and could surprise I look at somebody like Blake Wheeler who is a decent comparison for style and skillset. Both big bodies (Wheeler: 6'5" 205 and Hayes 6'3" 205), didn't dominate the NCAA, took some time to adjust, needed to work on their skating, but put up decent stats and improved in their time in college. Coming out of college both were seen as not living up to their draft position and ended up being UFAs. Wheeler: Games:127 Points: 96 PPG: 0.76 Hayes: Games: 142 Points: 132 PPG: 0.93 Personally I think points in the NCAA can be very deceiving due to the difference in quality of competition and the amount of goals his team scores. I wouldn't top Hayes out as just a 3rd liner because he had a poor first two seasons in the NCAA. The one thing with Wheeler is that from the day he was drafted to now his skating improved greatly, maybe Hayes can improve his skating a little and see similar benefits. Last edited by SuperMatt18; 08-13-2014 at 01:59 PM.