[News] Kevin Hayes signs with the Rangers

[StrykerSteve]

Hayes > Smith all day long.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I personally thought that Arnold did a lot more to drive that line than Hayes did. I thought Hayes was the 3rd most valuable player on that line. His foot-speed is not at an NHL level (as we saw from the WC), and he is not physical, though he is big. As for Hayes being better than Smith (I assuming Hunter Smith?) - sure, for the moment. However, Hayes is not guaranteed to become an everyday NHL'er either.

With that being said, I still hope that the Flames sign him if he becomes available. He has size, and a good shot, and in a position of weakness organizationally.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I personally thought that Arnold did a lot more to drive that line than Hayes did. I thought Hayes was the 3rd most valuable player on that line. His foot-speed is not at an NHL level (as we saw from the WC), and he is not physical, though he is big. As for Hayes being better than Smith (I assuming Hunter Smith?) - sure, for the moment. However, Hayes is not guaranteed to become an everyday NHL'er either.

With that being said, I still hope that the Flames sign him if he becomes available. He has size, and a good shot, and in a position of weakness organizationally.

I'd be happy to acquire him. Strange that we have so many left-shooting RWs in the prospect pool:

Colborne, Poirier, Ferland and Hanowski, plus potential acquisitions like Zedjl and Hayes. Harrison, Smith and Carroll as right-hand shots... Maybe an over-abundance of bottom-6 talent? Poirier is the only sure-fire top 6 player to me.

Doesn't hurt to develop them all and see who can contribute.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

The rest of your post is spot on, but I think it is extremely felicitous to suggest that Smith is presently a comparable prospect to Hayes. Hayes was a first round pick, a high end college player, and is a few years further along in his development. He is MUCH better than Smith at this point, and would more likely slot closer to Poirier in the depth chart, perhaps even ahead of him.

You saw that I said 2md/3rd right? I don't disagree with you at all - I simply left it to peoples' opinions.

There is some reason for debate though. TO say he is a better prospect because he was a 1st rounder is silly. He is what he is - further along than Smith but one could argue that Smith has a higher ceiling.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

I'd be happy to acquire him. Strange that we have so many left-shooting RWs in the prospect pool:

Colborne, Poirier, Ferland and Hanowski, plus potential acquisitions like Zedjl and Hayes. Harrison, Smith and Carroll as right-hand shots... Maybe an over-abundance of bottom-6 talent? Poirier is the only sure-fire top 6 player to me.

Doesn't hurt to develop them all and see who can contribute.

Most right shooting players are left handed and since left handed people only make up 10% of the population, finding right shooting players can be difficult.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Most right shooting players are left handed and since left handed people only make up 10% of the population, finding right shooting players can be difficult.

Is that really the case? I'm a right-hand shot and I'm right-handed. Killer wrist shot as well. Shame I can't skate for ####.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Most right shooting players are left handed and since left handed people only make up 10% of the population, finding right shooting players can be difficult.

Arnold is a right-hand shot too and it wouldn't surprise me to see him play on the right side rather than at center given the potential log-jam at that position. He has a hard shot and play-making ability in addition to skating well and being solid as a rock. A much under-rated player in my opinion.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Arnold is a right-hand shot too and it wouldn't surprise me to see him play on the right side rather than at center given the potential log-jam at that position. He has a hard shot and play-making ability in addition to skating well and being solid as a rock. A much under-rated player in my opinion.

Arnold reminds me of Yelle. I think he could be a real dark-horse in camp. Don't forget Corban Knight too, who could also easily be converted to the RW.

I think we're alright in quantity of big RWers... Shame we don't have more can't miss blue chippers though. Hayes isn't exactly a blue chipper, but he would become our 2nd best RW prospect (behind Poirier) pretty-much overnight.

[SuperMatt18]

Whenever you can add a 6'3" former first round pick, who has shown okay development and that he has good enough hands to finish chances, you sign him.

[Gaskal]

Whenever you get taught as a RH kid to swing a baseball bat or a golf club before picking up a hockey stick chances are you'll be a RH right-shot.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Is that really the case? I'm a right-hand shot and I'm right-handed. Killer wrist shot as well. Shame I can't skate for ####.

It's what I've read and what I've noticed. I also read that there are more right shooters in the States than other countries for some reason. It's been supposed that Americans probably pick up a baseball bat before they pick up a hockey stick, so shooting right seems more natural to them.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Whenever you get taught as a RH kid to swing a baseball bat or a golf club before picking up a hockey stick chances are you'll be a RH right-shot.

I'm RH, I swing a baseball bat, throw darts and bowl right, but golf and hockey left. No idea why or how any of it came to be.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

I'm RH, I swing a baseball bat, throw darts and bowl right, but golf and hockey left. No idea why or how any of it came to be.

Very common in Canada but not the US for some reason. I'm the same way.

[formulate]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

I'm RH, I swing a baseball bat, throw darts and bowl right, but golf and hockey left. No idea why or how any of it came to be.

Which is your dominant asshandling hand?

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by formulate

Which is your dominant asshandling hand?

Ambidextrous I imagine. Any good groper needs to be.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

He played 53 games and put up 18 points with the Panthers last year. He's an NHL'er.

Just 1 easy example, at the same age Nigel Dawes play 66 games and put up 32 points with the Flames. He has only played 4 NHL games since.

It takes a lot to be an NHLer no questions asked. J Hayes is not there yet.
(Not saying he wont get there, don't know him well enough to form an opinion on that).

[edslunch]

Surely there is no debate here....Big, young, first-rounder, RW....you sign him if you can. Whether he's first, second or third best RW prospect will be determined

[getbak]

My only concern for Hayes is that he really didn't put up big numbers in College until he was put on the line with Gaudreau. Arnold actually outscored Hayes in each of their first three years at BC (and Arnold didn't become a regular linemate of Johnny's until late in his third year).

Watching the World Championships, Hayes looked like a kid who just graduated, who was on the same ice as the pros for the first time. While Gaudreau might be NHL-ready, Arnold and Hayes will need at least a full season in the AHL before they're ready.

The advantage that Hayes' size gives him is that if he doesn't develop into a first or second line player, there will still be opportunities for a lower line role. That's something Gaudreau doesn't have. For Johnny, it's top-6 or bust.

To me, Arnold is built like a classic third or fourth line centre. A guy who can reliably take a defensive zone draw and log a tonne of minutes on the PK.


If Hayes does go to free agency, and does decide he wants to come to Calgary, of course they should sign him. It's basically a free player, and one with a better NHL upside than you typically get coming out of college. Like I believe someone else already said, it would be like recovering the 2010 first rounder the Flames traded away for Jokinen.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Agree with most of your post above getbak. It should be noted though that Hayes only played in 27 games (25 points) in his third year while Arnold played 38 (35 points). Pro-rated they actually would have scored the same number of points (35).

I can't recall though - did Hayes play with Gaudreau prior to this year?

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by GettinIggyWithIt

Agree with most of your post above getbak. It should be noted though that Hayes only played in 27 games (25 points) in his third year while Arnold played 38 (35 points). Pro-rated they actually would have scored the same number of points (35).

I can't recall though - did Hayes play with Gaudreau prior to this year?

No, last season was Hayes' first with Gaudreau. However, Hayes was starting to put up more points in his last season on the 2nd line before the trio got in the first quarter of the season. He was looking like a break-out player from what I recall on his own, though playing with Gaudreau and Arnold definitely helped his numbers explode at the time.