[Signing] Rangers sign Kevin Hayes avoiding arbitration (1 yr, $5.125 mil)

[Itse]

With the Rangers heading for a rebuild, do we know if Hayes was even interested in signing long-term?

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Karl

Rags look like they're gonna suck big time ass for a good 3 years.

Really starting to see a Rangers hate theme... and I can barely tell one poster from another.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Really starting to see a Rangers hate theme... and I can barely tell one poster from another.

The team actually announced to their fans that they were going into a rebuild. I don't see how acknowledging that constitutes ‘Rangers hate’.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Ah yes, the Rangers hate theme that has become notorious for Flames fans.

Don't we all love them for 1994?

Maybe it's because it was a bad team, that traded away their captain while their franchise goalie is entering the season as a 36 year old. Their prospect pool is not amazing, and they literally have one forward signed three years from now. They're going to be in a rough time, but if at last they rebuild correctly instead of going for free agency they might be able to change their fortunes.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

The team actually announced to their fans that they were going into a rebuild. I don't see how acknowledging that constitutes ‘Rangers hate’.

Back to back contract threads Karl has mocked them openly. And I didn’t even think they were that bad.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Back to back contract threads Karl has mocked them openly. And I didn’t even think they were that bad.

Well, given what the Rangers' management themselves have said, it would be surprising if they didn't suck for the next three years. I'm still unclear how that constitutes either mockery or hate.

[jayswin]

Smart deal for the Rangers. He'll get great minutes on a crappy team and likely set himself up as the go to rental this spring. Rangers probably get a first round pick+ at the deadline.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Well, given what the Rangers' management themselves have said, it would be surprising if they didn't suck for the next three years. I'm still unclear how that constitutes either mockery or hate.

Geez relax. It was more of a friendly jab than anything... he was seeming to portray ENG levels of enjoyment over their contracts, that’s all. I’m really not looking to start an argument or anything. Especially with yourself who I don’t remember mentioning.

[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Rangers have some pretty solid guys in their prime for a rebuild:

Zibadejad (25), Namestnikov (25) Hayes (26), Krieder (27) and Zuccerello (30)

That makes it easier for their young guys and prospects to fit in:

Buchnevich, Chytlil, Lias Andersson and Howden.

They have their top-4 Shattenkirk, Staal, Skeji and Brendan Smith and a boot-full of top d-men prospects (some what like the Flames except with room at the #5-7 spots in the NHL)

Lundqvist apparently was asked if he wanted to be traded and he choose to stay with the Rangers.

9.5 M in cap space gong into this season and 25.4 M for next year.

Ha. I was thinking the exact opposite. This team is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by Itse

With the Rangers heading for a rebuild, do we know if Hayes was even interested in signing long-term?

No, I interpret this contract as a ‘get me out of here ASAP’ statement. He’s already been a ‘free agent’ after college. I read this as he’s looking to move, but I wouldn’t expect Calgary to be his top choice by any means. He looked off Chicago 4 years ago for NY.

[Enoch Root]

Yeah, all of those pieces are secondary, no stars there. Absolutely nothing on which to build a team upon.

Also, it's funny how, if Zuccerello were a Flame, he would be too old at 30. But as a Ranger, at the start of their rebuild, he a solid piece. Yeah, no. Zuccerello and Kreider are trade chips.

Zibadejad is basically Backlund at the start of our rebuild - a good 2nd line C who will be on the backside of his career once the rebuild is complete. An important player, but not someone you build around.

The way they didn't want to give term to Hayes and Skinner screams that they are going to use all of these guys as trade chips and burn the whole thing to the ground.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

No, I interpret this contract as a ‘get me out of here ASAP’ statement. He’s already been a ‘free agent’ after college. I read this as he’s looking to move, but I wouldn’t expect Calgary to be his top choice by any means. He looked off Chicago 4 years ago for NY.

But with where Chicago and NY are now, I would imagine that Calgary is looking a lot more interesting.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Itse

With the Rangers heading for a rebuild, do we know if Hayes was even interested in signing long-term?

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

No, I interpret this contract as a ‘get me out of here ASAP’ statement. He’s already been a ‘free agent’ after college. I read this as he’s looking to move, but I wouldn’t expect Calgary to be his top choice by any means. He looked off Chicago 4 years ago for NY.

The rumor was that he was looking for a 5 to 6 year deal from the Rangers for $5.5 to $6 mil per. The report is that the Rangers weren't willing to make a long term commitment.

IIRC there was a report that Kevin wanted to go pro after his junior year in college, but the Blackhawks thought it was better for him to go back his 4th because he suffered a major injury in his junior year. He of course had that dominating year with Gaudreau, his stock skyrocketed and then he went UFA. Bad gamble by the Hawks.

There is also speculation/rumors that the Hayes brothers preference is to stay in the Northeastern US. Parents are in Boston, both are cancer survivors, and I hear the mother is not always in the best of health.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Rangers have some pretty solid guys in their prime for a rebuild:

Zibadejad (25), Namestnikov (25) Hayes (26), Krieder (27) and Zuccerello (30)

That makes it easier for their young guys and prospects to fit in:

Buchnevich, Chytlil, Lias Andersson and Howden.

They have their top-4 Shattenkirk, Staal, Skeji and Brendan Smith and a boot-full of top d-men prospects (some what like the Flames except with room at the #5-7 spots in the NHL)

Lundqvist apparently was asked if he wanted to be traded and he choose to stay with the Rangers.

9.5 M in cap space gong into this season and 25.4 M for next year.

Good pieces but I think the players you mentioned are likely gone within the next two seasons - for more picks/prospects.

Hayes - 1 year - UFA
Zuccarello - 1 year - UFA
Kreider - 2 years - UFA
Spooner - 2 years - UFA
Namestnikov - 2 years - UFA
Vesey - 2 years - UFA
Fast - 2 years - UFA

Zibanejad is the only guy that is signed past 19/20 of their big name forwards. And all the names above are going to be around 28 years old when those contracts expire - doubt the Rangers will go for long term extensions - feels like a move where they will try to pump up their value and then dump them at the deadline.

Also Shattenkirk and Skjei are good but Staal is average at best now, and Smith was an AHLer for the most part last season.

[Geeoff]

I think for the Rangers to truly rebuild, they need to move Lundqvist. He's gonna stop too many pucks for them to finish last.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

The rumor was that he was looking for a 5 to 6 year deal from the Rangers for $5.5 to $6 mil per. The report is that the Rangers weren't willing to make a long term commitment.

It seems like the Rangers haven't been sold on this guy for some reason. It appears they are simply positioning to use him at the deadline to acquire more assets for the rebuild.