Rumor: Blackhawks' Kevin Hayes on Rangers radar?

[Ola]

Undrafted un(NHL)signed Dan Girardi's first pro contract was an AHL contract with NYR's Hartford AHL team.
The day that deal ended, 7/1/2006 NYR signed him for to NHL deal.

Yeah, its so interesting to look back and Girardi and what route he took.

Girardi was decent in his first camp etc., but not much more than that. In general probably less imperssive than say a Conner Allen.

Anyway, Renney really wanted us to hang on to the puck and take the game to the other team, and Girardi -- really -- bought into Renney's plan to have his Ds pass the puck out of our own end. He was really cool and poised with his short passing game in his own end, and that got him a place in the NHL eventually.

What 3 years later, Girardi had turned into a shot-blocking D that more often than not throws the puck away, loved by his new coach though who had that philosopy. When I think back, I remember thinking Girardi would be one of the players on our roster that would have the hardest time adopting to Torts' style, honestly. G played back then because he was somewhat solid defensively (although he needed Toots to cover for him quite a bit), took the body and because he moved the puck really well. The reading was on the wall that Torts would slash our transition game. I actually made a thread about it, I thought Zherdev and G would struggle under Torts... I was right about one but really off about the other.

Now, one somewhat weakness in Girardi's game is -- besides his footspeed -- his passing game. Hopefully he can adopt to AV too.

 

[nyr2k2]

I remember after seeing Girardi in Hartford, I made a statement to the effect of "Dan Girardi has no business on an NHL ice surface." I also said that about Bryce Lampman at the time, so at least I was half right.

 

[eco's bones]

Yeah, its so interesting to look back and Girardi and what route he took.

Girardi was decent in his first camp etc., but not much more than that. In general probably less imperssive than say a Conner Allen.

Anyway, Renney really wanted us to hang on to the puck and take the game to the other team, and Girardi -- really -- bought into Renney's plan to have his Ds pass the puck out of our own end. He was really cool and poised with his short passing game in his own end, and that got him a place in the NHL eventually.

What 3 years later, Girardi had turned into a shot-blocking D that more often than not throws the puck away, loved by his new coach though who had that philosopy. When I think back, I remember thinking Girardi would be one of the players on our roster that would have the hardest time adopting to Torts' style, honestly. G played back then because he was somewhat solid defensively (although he needed Toots to cover for him quite a bit), took the body and because he moved the puck really well. The reading was on the wall that Torts would slash our transition game. I actually made a thread about it, I thought Zherdev and G would struggle under Torts... I was right about one but really off about the other.

Now, one somewhat weakness in Girardi's game is -- besides his footspeed -- his passing game. Hopefully he can adopt to AV too.

FWIW Girardi isn't horrible at anything. It's just some things he's not that great at. Comparing him to Stralman--Anton is quicker with his feet which buys him time to make short safe plays. He's really good at that and apart from McDonagh last year he was the best D at breaking the team out of the defensive zone. Over his time here Anton became more defensive as a Ranger and his offensive game suffered. I don't think Anton can take the pounding of the bigger, stronger guys like Girardi can. Anton's not really small but he's not quite average size for an NHL defenseman. What Girardi is really good at is positioning and poise and he's a freak when it comes to staying healthy--considering all the hits given and taken and the shots blocked. He's a very good--not great defenseman who partners well with whoever he plays with and is Mr. Dependable when it comes to being in the lineup and playing a very steady though unspectacular game night after night. You know what you're getting.

 

[RangerBoy]

The Rangers signed Barrett Heisten as a free agent in 2001. Former 1st round pick by Buffalo in 1999. He used the Van Ryn route to become a free agent. Left college to play in the WHL. Heisten did nothing in the NHL.

 

[Carlos Ranger]

Heisten did nothing in the NHL.

Just like most of the 99 draft.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

RJ Umberger is another example. He was a 1st in 2001 or 2002 and was owned by the Canucks. After a few seasons at OSU he leaves a la Kreider to go pro but is pissed at the contract he's offered. He strongarms Burke into trading him to the Rangers for Rucinsky but never came to terms with the Rangers. He signed with Philly and the Rangers used the pick to move up and draft Korpikoski.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

RJ Umberger is another example. He was a 1st in 2001 or 2002 and was owned by the Canucks. After a few seasons at OSU he leaves a la Kreider to go pro to go pro but is pissed at the contract he's offered. He strongarms Burke into trading him to the Rangers for Rucinsky but never came to terms with the Rangers. He signed with Philly and the Rangers used the pick to move up and draft Korpikoski.

Kreider graduated. People were put-off about waiting four years.

 

[Tawnos]

Kreider graduated. People were put-off about waiting four years.

Kreider graduated after his junior year though.

 

[Trxjw]

There's always the same bitterness about these kids when they turn UFA instead of accepting a deal with the team that drafted them. As a free addition, there's zero risk involved and no reason to pass him up if he's willing to come here. It's also interesting to note how Kreider's lack of production in his first two years was always defended as a result of the system York coaches, lack of playing time, etc, etc, etc. Yet Hayes' development has essentially followed the very same curve that Kreider's did and he's perpetually bashed as a "3rd liner at best".

Kevin Hayes could be one of those guys who puts it together a bit later than others. Yes, Gaudreau is a very skilled kid, but you don't carry a scrub linemate to the tune of 1.6PPG in the NCAA. Hayes has enough talent on his own to be a player at the NHL level. He projects as a poor man's Blake Wheeler. Pass-first winger with size. He lacks the skating ability Wheeler has, his top-end speed is quite good but his balance in stride is awkward, but he can certainly be a productive player in the NHL.

 

[RangerBoy]

Umberger sat out an entire season to become a free agent. He left Ohio State after his junior year. The 2005 CBA changed the rules for college players. Kreider needed a few more classes to graduate when he left school.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Kreider graduated. People were put-off about waiting four years.

Both gave up a year of eligibility to go pro.

The degree means nothing expect to the Kreider family (and future non-NHL employers, of course).

 

[AlternateSideParking]

We're now seeing that Hayes is far from a rebel or trendsetter. There's always a risk in drafting college kids that arent an elite pick because they know they can do four years of college with everything paid for by the university, then walk into a couple of million on terms they dictate, especially if the kid is coming off a very strong final season.

Who knows. Maybe he hates Chicago. Maybe he hates Bowman. Maybe his parents are pressuring him. There are so many factors that could make a kid decide to go a different direction.

Let him go where he wants. Schultz could have been a part of a powerhouse in Southern California and turned it all down so he could toil in Alberta at the bottom of the NHL food chain.

Personally, I am always skeptical of kids who want to leave winning organization to play for a crappy one just for a four or five extra minutes of ice time a game. Then one day they wake up and they're unhappy from losing all the time and their worth plummets.

But Hayes is a free man. Beauty of being a modern-day athlete.

 

[RangerBoy]

"It’s been a long, thought-out process,” Murray said. “(Kevin) has worked his way through it. (Thursday) is the 14th so I would expect we’ll get to the 16th.”

Murray also said that money was not the issue as Kevin Hayes will have to sign an entry-level contract no matter where he lands. The motivation to reach unrestricted free agency could be due to the logjam that the Hawks have at forward, preventing some young players from making the roster in the near future. Murray wouldn’t disclose what has prevented the sides from coming to an agreement.

“I’d rather not get into that at this point,” he said. “We’re waiting to see where things go over the next couple of days.”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/chi-hayes-free-agent-20140814-story.html

Its up to the Rangers to sell themselves to Hayes.

 

[Trxjw]

I think Calgary is the clear front runner. They have 2/3rds of his line from BC under contract and there's really nobody of note for him to beat out for a roster spot.

 

[NYR Viper]

The Rangers should show him their lack of power forwards within their system and the need for a young player to grab a wing spot as early as this year. Stempniak is not a long-term solution. MSL and MZA are UFA's at years end.

 

[Fletch]

I think Calgary is the clear front runner. They have 2/3rds of his line from BC under contract and there's really nobody of note for him to beat out for a roster spot.

read the same. Would seem risky considering the chances of all three actually playing together would be slim. There's a Jessiman in every top NCAA line. We shall soon see.

 

[Section32]

But for a NE kid, Calgary is very far away and clearly not a dream city for a young American kid.

Hey, in a few years, when Calgary is a major player again, I see them being in the equation. right now, playing in Boston or NY with the easier travel, closeness to home and possibility of being on a winning team immediately...much more likely.

And being ranked in the bottom 3 for prospects by just about everyone should give him the idea that he has a real chance in NY.

 

[Trxjw]

But for a NE kid, Calgary is very far away and clearly not a dream city for a young American kid.

Hey, in a few years, when Calgary is a major player again, I see them being in the equation. right now, playing in Boston or NY with the easier travel, closeness to home and possibility of being on a winning team immediately...much more likely.

And being ranked in the bottom 3 for prospects by just about everyone should give him the idea that he has a real chance in NY.

Eh, being with two guys you spent the better part of the last two years bonding with can easily trump the "not a big American city" card. Plus, who actually knows if being close to home is a good thing? A friend of mine took a job on the west coast in part so he could be further away from his crazy family on Long Island.

 

[Trxjw]

read the same. Would seem risky considering the chances of all three actually playing together would be slim. There's a Jessiman in every top NCAA line. We shall soon see.

The chances are indeed slim, but a slim chance is better than no chance.

 

[cd211]

we have spots on our roster, he just has to earn them.. I hope he signs, great addition, and most of all help with us giving 1st the past number of years..

if rangers are hard pressed for him.. WHy wouldn't you want to surround yourself with talent/solid team/former teammate then play in the calgary, florida teams of the world.. **** that!

 

[wolfgaze]

I think Calgary is the clear front runner. They have 2/3rds of his line from BC under contract and there's really nobody of note for him to beat out for a roster spot.

Eh...

-unlikely that an NHL team will formulate their lines around 3 prospects/rookies being paired together just because they had chemistry at the NCAA level
-Calgary is a non-competitive team now and for the near future
-Calgary is a long distance away from his hometown so that will mean a lot less contact with family & friends during the season

If he wants to play for a team with low expectations and hope that he can recreate some nostalgia of being around his former NCAA linemates, then that might be an attractive option.

NY offers:

-a competitive team
-close proximity to his hometown and friends & family in the area
-some familiarity in that he does have a former NCAA teammate on our roster

If playing for a competitive, orignal 6 franchise and being closer to his hometown & family/friends is important to him - then NY is an attractive option.

Of course there's no guarantee that he plays in the NHL for any team he signs with, although teams like Calgary offer him better chances of doing so...

 

[AlternateSideParking]

To me, the depth excuse was a cover, or at best one of a myriad of reasons but the one that publicly sells best. Gaudreau is his boy. They're thick as thieves.

He's either going to Florida or Calgary. That's my gut feeling.

 

[Fletch]

Eh...

-unlikely that an NHL team will formulate their lines around 3 prospects/rookies being paired together just because they had chemistry at the NCAA level
-Calgary is a non-competitive team now and for the near future
-Calgary is a long distance away from his hometown so that will mean a lot less contact with family & friends during the season

If he wants to play for a team with low expectations and hope that he can recreate some nostalgia of being around his former NCAA linemates, then that might be an attractive option.

NY offers:

-a competitive team
-close proximity to his hometown and friends & family in the area
-some familiarity in that he does have a former NCAA teammate on our roster

If playing for a competitive, orignal 6 franchise and being closer to his hometown & family/friends is important to him - then NY is an attractive option.

Of course there's no guarantee that he plays in the NHL for any team he signs with, although teams like Calgary offer him better chances of doing so...

or, he wants that chance to be a top six forward today instead of tomorrow, thus getting to that next contract with more NHL games under his belt and possibly better production. There may be an appeal to playing in a hockey town like Calgary. Could also be part of something building, and to some people, that's pretty enticing.

 

[Championship*]

Justin Schultz could have walked on this team if he had signed here. The team had just finished 1st in the east and made it to the conference finals and he had near a guarantee spot. He chose to sign with a team that was and continues to be a bottom feeder in the league.

Point I'm trying to make is, I don't think it really matters what shape a team is in. The kid will sign with whoever he feels gives him the best chance to succeed. This guy is going to have top teams knocking at his door, but he's probably just as likely to sign with a bottom feeder.

That said, I'd love to add the kid and I think the Rangers have a lot to offer him, but I think it's more than likely he signs with a Calgary/Florida.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Bowman isn't stupid. He knows that pick in the 2nd round will likely be equal to if not better than Hayes.