[News] Kevin Hayes signs with the Rangers

[djsFlames]

Haggerty needs to stop being a hag.

Just cause there's some speculation about him and Boston and he might be a nice fit or whatever doesn't mean the other destinations get ruled out. I still think it's more likely he's with FLA or CGY in August. It just makes more sense for him, if he wants to become an NHLer in a year or two.

Hometown factor doesn't mean squat, usually. Otherwise teams would look very different. And the Leafs would be a team full of superstars. But thank goodness we don't live in that reality.

[sureLoss]

^ except the Bruins could actually have him play in the NHL this year full time with their current RW depth.

Reilly Smith (unsigned RFA, perhaps their only legitimate top 6 NHL forward at RW)
Jordan Caron (often scratched 13th forward, last season)
Matt Fraser (unsigned RFA NHL/AHL tweener)
David Pastrnak (2014 1st round pick 18 years old)

[Yrebmi]

Boston does look like a fit, especially with him being a native.
Bruins actually have worse RW depth than us. Unlike us they have no cap space. Can they even afford to offer full bonuses?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Yrebmi

Boston does look like a fit, especially with him being a native.
Bruins actually have worse RW depth than us. Unlike us they have no cap space. Can they even afford to offer full bonuses?

They could offer full bonuses with the bonus cushion. The Bruins would risk those bonuses counting toward next season if Hayes achieved them and it put them over the cap.

Also to add fuel to the Boston fire, Kevin Hayes has a cousin, Ryan Fitzgerald who plays at BC and is a Bruins 4th round draft pick.

Scott Fitzgerald, brother to Ryan and cousin to Hayes, has worked for the Bruins as a scout since 2006. He currently holds the title of Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting.

So not only do the Bruins have room for him, Boston is his hometown, but he has some pretty good family ties with the Bruins.

[MarkGio]

The Bruins have less than 4 million to sign Smith, Florek and Krug. I can't see them being able to offer as much as Florida or Calgary.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

The Bruins have less than 4 million to sign Smith, Florek and Krug. I can't see them being able to offer as much as Florida or Calgary.

Money isn't the problem. He'll get rookie max wherever he goes.

[Racki]

I'd be interested to here Al Morganti's take. He's pretty connected in the Boston area. He pretty much guaranteed Gaudreau was signing here months before it happened.

[sun]

Originally Posted by iggysback05

I'd be interested to here Al Morganti's take. He's pretty connected in the Boston area. He pretty much guaranteed Gaudreau was signing here months before it happened.

So did I and I don't have any Boston connections.

[Racki]

Originally Posted by sun

So did I and I don't have any Boston connections.

Morganti referenced conversations with the Gaudreau family and Jerry York.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

The Bruins have less than 4 million to sign Smith, Florek and Krug. I can't see them being able to offer as much as Florida or Calgary.

Rookie max is a $925,000 cap hit even if they offer him maximum bonuses too.

[mile]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

^ except the Bruins could actually have him play in the NHL this year full time with their current RW depth.

Reilly Smith (unsigned RFA, perhaps their only legitimate top 6 NHL forward at RW)
Jordan Caron (often scratched 13th forward, last season)
Matt Fraser (unsigned RFA NHL/AHL tweener)
David Pastrnak (2014 1st round pick 18 years old)

Loui Eriksson would play in their top six as well this year, but yeah your point still stands - Hayes could step in this year.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by mile

Loui Eriksson would play in their top six as well this year, but yeah your point still stands - Hayes could step in this year.

All well and good but they would have to make further adjustments on their cap. Rookie max is still 400k + over the league min which they may want to use to fill up the roster. I'm sure that Boston can find a way if they really want sign Hayes but that may open up opportunities for teams re waivers or trades to take pieces off of Boston.

[edslunch]

Anyway, seems like it's much less than slam dunk Hayes signs here. Here's hoping.....

[MarkGio]

A lot of this assumes Hayes wants to play the wing. He was only a winger for one year.

I think his overall chance at either centre or wing is best on the Flames. Its not a daunting task to beat Stajan, Jones, Colborne or Bouma for a job in comparison to the majority of Boston's top 9.

[442scotty]

Meh... if we got him ... great! If not its no big deal...

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

Meh... if we got him ... great! If not its no big deal...

Yeah, I don't really know how good he is. Maybe most of his last years production is just from being set up by Gaudreau or maybe it's more a natural progression showing his real talent level. Anyways he's seemed to have manoeuvred his position into being courted by a number of teams.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

A lot of this assumes Hayes wants to play the wing. He was only a winger for one year.

I think his overall chance at either centre or wing is best on the Flames. Its not a daunting task to beat Stajan, Jones, Colborne or Bouma for a job in comparison to the majority of Boston's top 9.

He's spent most of the last 3 seasons on the wing and had a much bigger impact there. Cannot imagine it being an issue at all.

Strikes me as a Bruins fan. If they come calling I expect he'll sign there. Maybe it would be prudent to try & trade for his rights...

[combustiblefuel]

I am intrigued. I would say CGY or FLA. Either one honestly. If he want to continue his college bonds CGY. If he wants the family bond FLA. How often do you get the choice to be with to college friends or your brother to play in the pros? If he's going to get the rookie max anywhere, Why not go have fun with some friends and make the same money apposed to entering a system where you don't have a familiar face around? Easier transition. After his initial years he could chase the money when he starts to know people.


Edit: I really hat to say it but I could see him ending up in Edmonton or Vancouver. I know its a dirty though but they could pick Him up.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

I am intrigued. I would say CGY or FLA. Either one honestly. If he want to continue his college bonds CGY. If he wants the family bond FLA. How often do you get the choice to be with to college friends or your brother to play in the pros? If he's going to get the rookie max anywhere, Why not go have fun with some friends and make the same money apposed to entering a system where you don't have a familiar face around? Easier transition. After his initial years he could chase the money when he starts to know people.


Edit: I really hat to say it but I could see him ending up in Edmonton or Vancouver. I know its a dirty though but they could pick Him up.

I don't. There is not much that either Vancouver or Edmonton can offer that Hayes can't get with at least a half dozen other organisations. Prior relationships to family and friends are likely to factor into this decision for him, which puts Boston, Florida and Calgary at the top of his list. The appeal of playing in New York is always a variable that makes them a possibility. He will probably field some strong pitches from other playoff contenders or original six teams. From where I sit, both the Canucks and Oilers are lost in this mix.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

He's spent most of the last 3 seasons on the wing and had a much bigger impact there. Cannot imagine it being an issue at all.

Strikes me as a Bruins fan. If they come calling I expect he'll sign there. Maybe it would be prudent to try & trade for his rights...

I don't believe that's true. He didn't break out until his 3rd and 4th years in college and Chicago fans online are saying he was a centre until his last year, when Arnold took over that role on the 1st line.