[News] Kevin Hayes signs with the Rangers

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Playing in a Canadian city there are always more expectations

Playing in a Canadian city is like living in a fish bowl. Some players love being able to go out after a game or on non-game days and not get hounded by the fans. Playing in Canada comes with a lot more expectations and pressure than playing in American cities, even the hockey mad original six cities.

[jemjey]

Originally Posted by SebC

More points than Arnold playing on the same line. I'd argue that the only forwards who are clearly better prospects than Hayes are Bennett, Gaudreau and Poirier. In terms of "what could they do next year", I'd put him second behind Gaudreau, and in position of higher need.

Others have said this, but if you watch a lot of those plays Hey! Arnold is usually the one who starts it off and johnny dishes it to hayes for an easy goal.

I think him and johnny were the clear leaders of that line. So no I don't think that he's a better prospect because he had more points.

Still, hope we sign him. And soon, thought it would be over with by now with all you guys talking about aug 15

[sureLoss]

Joe Haggerty @HackswithHaggs
Confirmed w/source that the Bruins have expressed interest in UFA and Mass homeboy Kevin Hayes to his agent. They look to be in mix for him

[djsFlames]

I think the finalists end up being something like BOS, NYR, FLA, CGY.

[The Original FFIV]

Here's an interesting take from a NYR blogger on their chances and a thought that the team who signs him may have to guarantee a spot on the NHL roster for him:

The day has finally come, and the once-rumor is now true. One of the top prospects formerly of the Chicago Blackhawks, Kevin Hayes, has hit the open market and is free to sign wherever he pleases. Many teams are currently in play for Hayes, one of course being the New York Rangers, whose GM Glen Sather loves to sign college players, especially ones who attend Boston College like Hayes did.
Hayes would be a great fit for the Rangers at the wing, but it is very unlikely that Sather can pull this one off and get him to sign with this offseason.
The reason why Hayes did not want to sign with the team that drafted him is because at 22 years old, he wants a guaranteed spot on an NHL roster and the Blackhawks, being a Stanley Cup contender for the last several of years now, just do not have room for him on their roster for this upcoming season.
The Rangers do have a spot on their active roster that Hayes can win, and that is the fourth-line winger spot. While the Rangers could and should guarantee Hayes that spot on their roster this season, he will probably not be all that thrilled to play on the fourth line.
Winger Chris Kreider could play a factor in these negotiations as Hayes and Kreider were linemates in Boston College, but rumor has it that even though both players got along fine, they were not exactly the best of friends. Who Hayes is good friends with, however, are Johnny Gaudreau and Bill Arnold, who both just happen to play for the Calgary Flames.
The Flames may not be the best of teams, but they are up and coming, and if Hayes signs there, he could potentially start on the same line with his friends on one of the top two scoring lines come opening day. This makes the Flames one of the front-runners to land Hayes.
Another contender could very well be the Florida Panthers. The Panthers, like the Flames, are another young team who will likely not be contenders this upcoming season, but Hayes could get a shot to play on the Panthers’ first line. Oh, and to top it all off, the Panthers have a player currently on their roster named Jimmy Hayes, who just happens to be Kevin’s big brother.
I think it is pretty obvious that Hayes will either sign with the Flames or the Panthers. For the Rangers to sign him to a deal, Sather will need to work some kind of magic.

http://www.rantsports.com/nhl/2014/0...t-kevin-hayes/

[edslunch]

"The reason why Hayes did not want to sign with the team that drafted him is because at 22 years old, he wants a guaranteed spot on an NHL roster and the Blackhawks, being a Stanley Cup contender for the last several of years now, just do not have room for him on their roster for this upcoming season."

If Hayes and his agent insist on a guaranteed roster spot I hope he is not only told "No!", but that the Flames are not interested in players with that attitude. I could see Treliving standing up in the middle of the meeting, declaring it over and walking out.

[djsFlames]

Whoever that writer is, they know very little about NHL rosters, and how difficult it is to make an NHL roster as a kid fresh out of college. So they think Bill Johnny and Kevin could all not only make our roster, but make up one of our top 2-3 scoring lines?

And Kevin Hayes is suddenly a plug who could play on the Rags' 4th line?

Okay.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by cdutka

I think Monahan is the sales pitch, he knows who we have, we need to show him that he is in charge of where he starts based on what he puts in

I think the better sales pitch is colborne, older player, big frame, they went out and traded for him and they gave him a chance through some struggles last year. this should all speak volumes to hayes, especially coming from the dry intensity of burke.

[sureLoss]

One interesting thing about the Rangers is that signing Hayes would put them at the 50 contract limit.

Most teams don't like being at the limit through the season as it limits them in trades.

If the Rangers do get Hayes they would probably look to rid themselves one or two of those contracts. Perhaps Danny Kristo?

[edslunch]

Was Burke involved with Team USA for the World Championship? Would he have any past relationship with Hayes?

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by edslunch

"The reason why Hayes did not want to sign with the team that drafted him is because at 22 years old, he wants a guaranteed spot on an NHL roster and the Blackhawks, being a Stanley Cup contender for the last several of years now, just do not have room for him on their roster for this upcoming season."

If Hayes and his agent insist on a guaranteed roster spot I hope he is not only told "No!", but that the Flames are not interested in players with that attitude. I could see Treliving standing up in the middle of the meeting, declaring it over and walking out.

Obviously I don't know the details... but my guess at what happened is this -

The Hawks were right up against the contract limit for the past few years and Hayes got hurt and didn't really put up numbers so they didn't bother offering a contract. He broke out this year and the Hawks made an offer. I'm not sure if the Hawks had a contract left at the end of year to get Hayes into a game to burn the first year (like the Flames did with Gaudreau/Arnold) and they also didn't play on the last Sunday like the Flames did.

So signing with the Hawks offered no benefit over waiting 4 months and being able to pick his team.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by edslunch

"The reason why Hayes did not want to sign with the team that drafted him is because at 22 years old, he wants a guaranteed spot on an NHL roster and the Blackhawks, being a Stanley Cup contender for the last several of years now, just do not have room for him on their roster for this upcoming season."

If Hayes and his agent insist on a guaranteed roster spot I hope he is not only told "No!", but that the Flames are not interested in players with that attitude. I could see Treliving standing up in the middle of the meeting, declaring it over and walking out.

No kidding. It's not like he's Wayne Gretzky. Never even heard of the guy until reading this thread.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Obviously I don't know the details... but my guess at what happened is this -

The Hawks were right up against the contract limit for the past few years and Hayes got hurt and didn't really put up numbers so they didn't bother offering a contract. He broke out this year and the Hawks made an offer. I'm not sure if the Hawks had a contract left at the end of year to get Hayes into a game to burn the first year (like the Flames did with Gaudreau/Arnold) and they also didn't play on the last Sunday like the Flames did.

So signing with the Hawks offered no benefit over waiting 4 months and being able to pick his team.

The Blackhawks made the decision to sign 2 college free agents last spring (Matt Carey and Trevor van Riemsdyk). If they were at the contract limit, it was their own decision.

The Eagles were eliminated on Thursday August 10. The Blackhawks played a game in Nashville (2 hour flight from Philly) on Saturday August 12. If they were truly motivated they could have gotten Hayes into that game to burn an ELC year.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

One interesting thing about the Rangers is that signing Hayes would put them at the 50 contract limit.

Most teams don't like being at the limit through the season as it limits them in trades.

If the Rangers do get Hayes they would probably look to rid themselves one or two of those contracts. Perhaps Danny Kristo?

Only thing about that is that trades are going the way of the dodo with exception of the draft and trade deadline. Flexibility is nice but they aren't going to throw away a chance at Hayes as a result of contract limits. Like you say, they can move a scrub prospect for futures or low pick if they need to make room for future moves.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by edslunch

could see Treliving standing up in the middle of the meeting, declaring it over and walking out.

So... you can see someone who is essentially the COO of a company valued at roundabouts half a billion dollars petulantly walking out of a business meeting? I hope not because if that's the kind of guy nominally in charge we're in trouble. He's a business man not a 12 year old.

[Finger Cookin]

Is there any reason to think that this blogger has any information that Hayes is demanding an NHL roster spot? Or is it just speculation?

[sureLoss]

According to Broad Street Hockey, Flyers executives made a presentation to Hayes yesterday.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

According to Broad Street Hockey, Flyers executives made a presentation to Hayes yesterday.

Fwiw Eklund said at least a dozen teams would made contact. Free first round pick that hasn't busted, can't say I'm surprised.

Would be sweet justice for us if he signs given we didn't have a first that year Hayes was drafted (dealt for Jokinen)

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Parallex

So... you can see someone who is essentially the COO of a company valued at roundabouts half a billion dollars petulantly walking out of a business meeting? I hope not because if that's the kind of guy nominally in charge we're in trouble. He's a business man not a 12 year old.

Ok how about respectfully drawing the meeting to a close earlier than planned and withdrawing any further interest. Better?

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Parallex

So... you can see someone who is essentially the COO of a company valued at roundabouts half a billion dollars petulantly walking out of a business meeting? I hope not because if that's the kind of guy nominally in charge we're in trouble. He's a business man not a 12 year old.

Substitute Burke for Treliving and I could totally see it!