[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 32):

RW Travis Hayes (5'11",168lbs)
Soo Greyhounds (OHL): 42gp/ 11g/ 12a/ 23pts, +1, 34 PIM

After a 2023-24 season that saw winger Travis Hayes post 35 points over 58 games in his rookie season in the OHL, the numbers he has put up this year look absolutely abysmal. Part of the reason for his struggles this season is the fact that the Greyhounds went from 3rd-overall in 2023-24, down to 15th out of 20 teams in the current campaign, with a goals-for that also puts them 15th. The native of Ann Arbor, Michigan is brother to Pens' prospect Avery Hayes, and Blackhawks' prospect Gavin Hayes, and is one of the youngest players available for this summer's draft, with a September 3rd birthday. He took part in the 2024 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup for Team USA, but was only able to muster 2 assists in 5 games. Hayes is a tenacious sparkplug who goes to war in the trenches, gets his nose dirty, and wins battles along the boards. Despite his lack of size, he is inside-driven and gets to the net consistently with high-motor and a steady workrate every shift. He's very active, keeps his feet moving, fights through checks, and forechecks hard. It seems like he's in the middle of every post-whistle scrum, as he's a bit of agitator, and he finishes his checks. In addition, he's versatile and can play in any situation.

Hayes' shot is easily his most projectable skill, and it already looks NHL-calibre with a bomb of a one-timer, and a laser wrister that he can fire off in full flight with a deceptive release that can fool goalies. He possesses the innate ability to locate soft spots in coverage in the right place, at the right time to get a shot off, and will also drive the net for chances with soft hands that can beat goalies 1-on-1. When opposing defensemen attempt retrievals, Hayes is there to apply pressure below the goal-line in an effort to steal pucks. While he doesn't display the best vision or playmaking ability, there's flashes of high-end creation skills from time-to-time, and he can get quality passes off the wall to the slot for open teammates; most of the time though, he keeps things simple and doesn't try anything too flashy. Hayes' skating isn't very dynamic either, and is perhaps somewhere around average, but he makes up for it somewhat with his hustle, and by keeping his feet pumping hard. He is still able to push pace at times, but he's a bit of a straight-line player who doesn't really possess an extra gear, and can't often separate from attackers. Because of this, his contributions to transition get mixed reviews; there are times when he simply chips pucks out and in, and other instances where he completes short passes and hooks up with teammates for give-and-go's, but he usually seems to defer to others to carry.

Hayes is reliable defensively, and plays an active role on the backcheck by hounding puck-carriers relentlessly, blocking shots, intercepting passes to the slot, and sealing off passing lanes effectively. In his own zone, he exhibits smart off-puck movement and anticipation, and strong positioning. He wields a deft pokecheck, proactively lifts sticks, and gets into his opponents' space. Hayes is younger than most, which may mean that he has a bit of a longer runway, but he needs to get bigger and stronger, work on his skating, and perhaps improve his puck-skills for the next level. Right now, he projects as a bottom-6 complimentary player, but there's potential. He's ranked #117 for North American skaters, and I think if does get drafted, he may have to wait until later rounds.