Quote:
Originally Posted by 868904
I find Hayes as a bit of a risky pickup. He'd been a consistent 40-50 point guy before this year and then explodes to 42 in 51 this year.
Rangers worked that perfectly, selling high for sure.
Honestly, I would have preferred Zuccarello to Hayes. The smaller guy plays bigger and has all the details in the game.
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I think its mostly just an ice time/role thing. AV used him more defensively, less minutes, less skilled linemates.
New coach, puts him more in offensive zone, more skilled linemates (ie. Kreider), more PP time, etc.
I think he'll be a good fit with skilled wingers in Winnipeg where he can use his ability to protect and distribute the puck to skilled shooters (Connor and Ehlers), and potentially play the Wheeler spot on the 2nd PP unit, where his frame is conducive to a similar strategy.
Stone is the bigger fish, but the Hayes pickup strikes me as a nice price for Winnipeg, and a uniquely strong fit on their second line that has shown struggles in lieu of Little aging/performance decline.