[News] Kevin Hayes signs with the Rangers

[dying4acup]

There was a comment made on this thread that money will be the same everywhere, so it's a matter of preference.

For all to remember:

Contract terms will be the same wherever he signs(2yrs, max signing bonus, max rookie pay, max incentive bonuses, and 2-WAY).

The key will be:

WHERE CAN HE:

Make NHL pay sooner
Have the best chance at making his incentive bonuses (games played, points, goals, assists, Calder, hart, Conn Smythe).

Looking at it from my point of view:

He could make the Flames, but he could make both the penguins and bruins too(due to lack of right wing depth).

Specifically in Pittsburg, he could hit any and all of his bonuses if he lands on Crosby's line. It's not like the Penguins have a tonne of top wingers ready for that.

All that said, pretty sure he's playing for the Flames at prospect tourney! ��

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by thefoss1957

Some Chicagoans have viewed Hayes' college career as disappointing, especially his first 3 years. Also he struggled with injuries, and had a suspension for violating team rules. Other teams' fans seem much more excited about him than do 'Hawk fans (as a 38 page thread on a Flame forum indicates...'Hayes hadn't been even discussed at Blackhawkzone forums for months).

This is from a Chi Sports Blog linked by the Chicago Tribune... http://www.chicagonow.com/daily-chic...wks-freehayes/

I can't speak for all fans, especially those from other teams, but I would be 'excited' about signing Hayes. Why? I personally don't view him as that great of a prospect - I think a guy like Arnold from his same line is a much stronger prospect due to his stronger 2-way play.

However, any time an organization is able to sign a former 1st round pick who has had 4 years of development time, and who does have legitimate potential, and who also seems to come in a fairly large frame - that is something to be happy about. I don't think he is a guarantee to make any team in the NHL, but I do think there would be reason for any team in the NHL to want to sign a player like that and have that player in their prospect base. Sometimes, players like that develop really nicely, other times they don't. Having that chance for essentially 'free' (other than money and contract space) is a win for any organization.

[Yrebmi]

I'm trying to see it from Chicago fan perspective.
Would you trade this prospect for the 54th overall?
I think I would. I do because if for no other reason, he doesn't want to be there.

I think Boston has a strong case for where he ends up, then I remember that JG was a native of Boston too. I think Hayes is a Flame prospect come Sept.

[Muta]

He might be a hit or miss prospect, and he may have his critics (and supporters), but if he doesn't cost us anything other than a contract next month, it's can't be anything but a good thing for this club. We're not exactly deep in RW prospects, and his chemistry with Gaudreau and Arnold is worth exploring on some level. Nothing to lose for the Flames by signing him.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Yrebmi

I'm trying to see it from Chicago fan perspective.
Would you trade this prospect for the 54th overall?
I think I would. I do because if for no other reason, he doesn't want to be there.

I think Boston has a strong case for where he ends up, then I remember that JG was a native of Boston too. I think Hayes is a Flame prospect come Sept.

JG is from the Philadelphia area but yeah we have a good chance to sign him and he comes free of charge.

[King Theo]

Sure sign him, why not. Like everyone is saying he is worth a contract.
I don't like the fact that a college player can play out his 4 years snub the NHL team that drafted him and sign as a UFA, with out holding out or missing any playing and development time. I think that NHL team should hold his rights for 1 more year.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by King Theo

Sure sign him, why not. Like everyone is saying he is worth a contract.
I don't like the fact that a college player can play out his 4 years snub the NHL team that drafted him and sign as a UFA, with out holding out or missing any playing and development time. I think that NHL team should hold his rights for 1 more year.

Is that really fair, though, when a Major Junior player just has to wait 2 years?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Is that really fair, though, when a Major Junior player just has to wait 2 years?

Juniour players go back into the draft though, no? Don't both CHL/NCAA players hit free agency four years after they were (first) drafted?

[thefoss1957]

Originally Posted by Yrebmi

I'm trying to see it from Chicago fan perspective.
Would you trade this prospect for the 54th overall?
I think I would. I do because if for no other reason, he doesn't want to be there.

I think Boston has a strong case for where he ends up, then I remember that JG was a native of Boston too. I think Hayes is a Flame prospect come Sept.

OK...looking at Hayes from a 'Hawk fan perspective (I do not hide the fact that I have been a 'Hawk fan since Glenn Hall was our Goalie)...

Current 'Hawk Wingers

Hossa/Sharp
Saad/Kane

Hayes Displaces NONE of these

Bickell/Smith

Tougher Call...Most fans LOVE Smith, and think Bickell is overpayed, but, I don't see Hayes displacing either here.

Versteeg/Morin/Nordstom/Regin (I know these last two can play Center...but will not slot into the roster with Toews/Richards/Shaw/Kruger already set)

Even if Versteeg gets dumped, as seems likely...I can't see Hayes moving past Morin, and Q seems comfortable enough putting Regin or Nordstrom out there...I do NOT see a spot for Hayes to easily slide into. PLUS, if TT gets any time with the NHL roster, this season, it is likely also at Wing, probably LW, so there is little chance for Hayes to crack the NHL roster with the 'Hawks for the foreseeable future...better to take the compensatory pick, at this point.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Juniour players go back into the draft though, no? Don't both CHL/NCAA players hit free agency four years after they were (first) drafted?

Yes major juniors actually have the advantage if they want to go this route, because the don't have to wait until the end of the 4th summer to become UFAs, if the go that route. I believe the would usually become FA ~ June 28th.

They just really have nowhere to play in the 4th year. But i'm sure a good enough player could get an AHL contract independent of NHL affiliation.

[Erick Estrada]

38 pages for Kevin Hayes eh? Must be summer time on a hockey forum.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

38 pages for Kevin Hayes eh? Must be summer time on a hockey forum.

No way this would be 38 pages if the Flames didn't have a legit shot to sign him

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

No way this would be 38 pages if the Flames didn't have a legit shot to sign him

Whether the Flames have a shot or not we are still talking about Kevin Hayes.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Is that really fair, though, when a Major Junior player just has to wait 2 years?

Everyone has to wait 4 years to go UFA. Junior players can re-enter the draft after 2 years, but they still don't become UFA until their 4th year after originally being drafted.

The only exception is if that player re-entering the draft is not re-drafted. He is then a UFA, but is obviously not good enough regardless.

Adding an extra year to college would be very unfair and discourage a lot of kids from going that way, which is an issue IMO.

[edslunch]

Big difference is CHL player can be signed any time during that time whereas NCAA can only sign when they leave school. If a CHL player doesn't get signed, reenters the draft and still doesn't get signed they are pretty much not interesting to anyone in the NHL

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

No way this would be 38 pages if the Flames didn't have a legit shot to sign him

I don't know. Everywhere I read the flames are never mentioned. I sort of think him coming here is more of a pipe dream.

But honestly I'm not that high on the kid, and I think we have better prospects already. I think the JG factor is why he is so popular.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Big difference is CHL player can be signed any time during that time whereas NCAA can only sign when they leave school. If a CHL player doesn't get signed, reenters the draft and still doesn't get signed they are pretty much not interesting to anyone in the NHL

Yes but this is because of NCAA rules for their athletes, not an NHL rule.

If the NCAA allowed it students to sign "promise of pay" agreements, and still attend school, this problem wouldn't exist. But there's not a whole lot the NHL can do and has made the rules as fair as possible.

The NCAA has some major issues to address, and not just with hockey players.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Yes but this is because of NCAA rules for their athletes, not an NHL rule.

If the NCAA allowed it students to sign "promise of pay" agreements, and still attend school, this problem wouldn't exist. But there's not a whole lot the NHL can do and has made the rules as fair as possible.

The NCAA has some major issues to address, and not just with hockey players.

Agreed. I was actually responding to the poster that said a CHL player had an advantage of only needing to wait until June of their 4th year to go UFA. That's true but that's only going to happen for bad players.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

No one should feel sorry for the Hawks. It's the price you pay for having an embarrassment of riches. So many good players that one wants to leave for the good of his own career AND they get a 2nd.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Yrebmi

I'm trying to see it from Chicago fan perspective.
Would you trade this prospect for the 54th overall?
I think I would. I do because if for no other reason, he doesn't want to be there.

I think Boston has a strong case for where he ends up, then I remember that JG was a native of Boston too. I think Hayes is a Flame prospect come Sept.

Trading him for #54 is a heck of a lot better than what Florida got for Corban Knight (#97).


Right now Jankowski is worth #51 in the 2017 draft.

Imagine the string of Flames 1st round picks who they would have been extremely happy to trade for a 2nd round pick 4 years after they drafted them:

Pelech, Nemisz, Chucko, Irving, .... had these guys gone the NCAA route after 4 years the Flames would have had a 2nd round pick instead of a long-shot prospect.

If Chucko would have stayed at UND for another 2 seasons the Flames would have had a #54 pick in 2009. He had a crappy 2nd year at UND and then went pro because the Flames didn't recognize him as a bust.

If Jankowski was the Flames top prospect there would be a lot of pressure to get him to the AHL to speed up his NHL readiness and to heck with a 2nd pick in 2017.

The Hawks basically saw that Kevin Hayes 25 pts in 27 games as a Junior was not worth turning pro.... same as the Flames saw that it would be better to have Arnold in the NCAA for another year and risk him going UFA (with no return) The Flames signing Arnold (and Gaudreau) before the end of last season burnt off a year of their EL contract .... a better offer than any other teams would have been able to give him.