New York Rangers: Will Kevin Hayes Finally Breakout?
After a promising rookie season, the former Boston College star struggled to find a rhythm in 2015-2016. Coming into this season with a chip on his shoulder, will he make the New York Rangers and their fans look favorably upon his new contract?
When you ask a New York Rangers fan about Kevin Hayes, you will receive one of two responses. Hayes either oozes potential or is soft and invisible on the ice. Over the course of the 2015-2016 season, you could see both sides of the argument show at times.
2015-2016 Traditional Stats
Games Played: 79
Goals: 14
Assists: 22
Points: 36
+/-: 4
PPP: 6
TOI: 13:40
FO%: 35.5%
Previous Role: Third Line Center
Season in Review
There are very few points of discussion that could have the New York Rangers fan base split like the Kevin Hayes discussion. After a fantastic rookie season where he posted 45 points, it looked like Hayes was off to a great start last season, posting 15 points in his first 25 games in 2015-2016. Once December finally hit, though, things started to change. Hayes had 1 goal in his next 22 games starting December 1st.
Once December finally hit, though, things started to change. Hayes had 1 goal in his next 22 games starting December 1st.
After a fantastic rookie season where he posted 45 points, it looked like Hayes was off to a great start last season, posting 15 points in his first 25 games in 2015-2016. Then once December finally hit, things started to change. Hayes had 1 goal in his next 22 games starting December 1st.
It wasn’t just the goal scoring that disappeared from Hayes’ game, it was, really everything.
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Hayes would have stretches of games where the New York Rangers had to hire a search party just to find him on the ice. In these games, Hayes wasn’t scoring, passing well, hitting, and was generally turning over the puck more than usual.
This culminated in coach Alain Vigneault benching him down the stretch when he put his invisibility cloak back on.
If you look at Hayes’ fancy stats from last season compared with his numbers from 2014-2015, you would notice a slight drop off in practically every category on the chart. The only problem I have with this chart is saying that his role was that of a 4th line center, which it wasn’t. That might skew those numbers a little bit, but since they are both on the same playing ground, the point still remains.
It is worth noting that Hayes’ relative CA/60 improved from a season ago, which means that his linemates were better with him on the ice defensively than with a replacement. That either tells us that Hayes’ play improved in that area or his linemates were worse in 15-16 then they were in 14-15.
2016-2017 Projected Stats
Games Played: 80
Goals: 18
Assists: 27
Points: 45
+/-: 6
PPP: 8
FO%: 39%
TOI: 14:00
Expected Role: Third Line Winger
Reasoning: Barring a major trade, which is still a possibility with the Rangers depth at forward, Hayes seemingly slots into the third line center role.
Who he will play with there remains to be seen, but I think Hayes is going to have a bounce back year, even if it means scoring the same point total that he garnered in 14-15.
The main thing that Kevin Hayes needs to work on is consistency–and faceoffs. A lot of people, including myself, thought that Hayes’ troubles last year could be attributed to a sophomore slump, which is a very real phenomenon.
There is a very real chance that he will be on a line with two rookies in Pavel Buchnevich and his Bostonian buddy, Jimmy Vesey. Knowing Alain Vigneault, he isn’t going to be in any rush to ink that line together, but his hand may be forced considering his top 6 forward group is pretty much set.
The good thing about that potential line would be that it would no doubt be a fast and skilled unit that has the potential to create lots of scoring opportunities. The downside is obvious as well, though.
With Buchnevich and Vesey never playing a minute on NHL ice–and Buchnevich never playing on North American Ice–the transition to the NHL game may be a lot for them to handle, which could culminate in some poor defensive play.
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At the end of the day, the New York Rangers almost collectively have a chip on their shoulders about their poor play last season. Hayes is no exception, and he will be ready to play his best hockey this year.
At least that is the hope going in.