[News] Kevin Hayes signs with the Rangers

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

therefore he will sign with the Bruins or another contending team
goal is to play for a winner, right?

If that were the case, he would have simply stayed with the Hawks.

The goal is to establish himself on an NHL roster as soon as possible.

[Scoreface]

He won't come here to simply play with his college friends/linemates. That stuff doesn't happen. Johnny is an elite top 6 player and Arnold may fit on the third or fourth line C. He may even move to the wing at camp. Hayes would have to battle Hudler/Colborne/Ferland/Poirier for the spot.

It's not as easy as it seems here for him. Plus we will likely be a lottery team again. Boston has Erickson moving over to RW and little else. Him being from there and at least a good enough opportunity to crack their lineup as ours, makes me believe he will sign there.

[DOOM]

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.

Granlund and Reinhart also..

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Quite possible if Calgary is one of the finalists, that he comes to Calgary for a tour. Not sure if he has had much opportunity to visit Calgary in the past.

Perhaps we can get strykersteve to stake out the Arrivals at YYC.

I'll be there on Tuesday morning and again on Wednesday evening. I'll keep my eyes open.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

I'll be there on Tuesday morning and again on Wednesday evening. I'll keep my eyes open.

And palms at the ready.

[Scoreface]

Yep, I think Boston is the front runner here. His best opportunity for success with a winning team short on RW depth is there. Plus, he's at home. I'll be surprised if he signs here.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Monahan23

Mark Divver @MarkDivver
Hearing that Kevin Hayes camp will spend Sunday narrowing list of NHL suitors, then speak with 4 to 5 finalists on Mon.

That's a smart way to handle the process.

I expect the finalists to start with Calgary, Florida, and Boston. After that it is a bit of a crap shoot. NYR and maybe Pittsburgh?

The first three teams Hayes has personal connections. New York is New York. And the Penguins have Crosby. Although, if he is a local Boston kid he might be very opposed to joining a rival team to the Bruins.

[Aarongavey]

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.

I do not see a single scenario where Treliving stands up and walks out. This earning a spot stuff is just pablum for the fans, if they had a chance at a free quality asset during a period of time that they do not have a hope in hell of competing for the playoffs they take that free asset every single day of the week.

[edslunch]

Walking out is overly dramatic, true. But promising a spot is a dangerous game - suppose he flops at training camp

[JohnnyT]

The whole demanding a spot conversation came from people taking him not wanting to play into Chicago as he demands an NHL roster spot. No where has he said he demands a roster spot, he's said he wants to play in the NHL next season, which is something that almost every prospect at his stage of his career should say. He was in the same situation as Corban Knight, the only difference was that Hayes was a first round pick.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Worst-case scenario, the Flames still have the reigning Hobey Baker winner and some guy that's really good at two-way college hockey.

And Gillies.

Really hoping Arnold has a great camp, does everything the coach wants, shows a good two way game and wins a spot, at centre no less. May require an injury but stranger things have happened.

[Freeway]

Arnold really slimmed down for development camp compared to where he finished off last season. It really showed in his top-end speed.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Scoreface

Yep, I think Boston is the front runner here. His best opportunity for success with a winning team short on RW depth is there. Plus, he's at home. I'll be surprised if he signs here.

I don't. I think if he was going to Boston it would have got done already. He will be a Flame or a Panther.

[AcGold]

I like your optimism.

[edslunch]

The Avs could be the team of the next decade if he's thinking strategically. Yes, even moreso than the flames

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Scoreface

He won't come here to simply play with his college friends/linemates. That stuff doesn't happen. Johnny is an elite top 6 player and Arnold may fit on the third or fourth line C. He may even move to the wing at camp. Hayes would have to battle Hudler/Colborne/Ferland/Poirier for the spot.

It's not as easy as it seems here for him. Plus we will likely be a lottery team again. Boston has Erickson moving over to RW and little else. Him being from there and at least a good enough opportunity to crack their lineup as ours, makes me believe he will sign there.

Yeah, if he comes here expecting to play with his college line mates, he's probably in for a rude surprise. Well maybe in Adirondack.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

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.

TVR contact was for 2014-15, but point stands on Carey.

[Scoreface]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I don't. I think if he was going to Boston it would have got done already. He will be a Flame or a Panther.

Why do you think that? He's just doing his due diligence. Check out the DeKeiser signing.

[sureLoss]

Rumor on twitter that Hayes will meet with the Avalanche tomorrow

[The Original FFIV]

Another factor working against Rags is the fact they still need to sign John Moore, which would out them at the 50 contract limit if they are sitting at 49 contracts like some suggest.