Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller have received plenty of blame following the New York Rangers’ exit in the second round of the NHL playoffs. Let’s take a closer look at playoff performances, the “clutch” gene, and more.
Here is a tweet from Blue Line Station writer John Williams:
This stat is very telling; in 74 combined playoff games, Miller and Hayes have a combined 3 goals (1 in 40 for J.T., 3 in 34 for Hayes) #NYR
— John Williams (@JaW1224) May 11, 2017
The stat is not arguable. Hayes and Miller have struggled to score in the playoffs thus far in their respective careers. It’s black and white, and it causes many concern. However, the extent to which some worry over postseason performances is even more concerning.
No one would make the argument that three combined goals in 74 games got the job done. However, when considering the future of players on the Rangers, relying on postseason statistics to tell the story will leave you making poor decisions.
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The Pavel Datsyuk Story
Neither Hayes nor Miller owns the talent that Pavel Datsyuk possessed in his prime. Datsyuk was a wizard on the ice, deking his way past opposing defenses like they were traffic cones. However, Datsyuk was horrendous in the first chunk of games in his NHL playoff career.
While the Red Wings succeeded in the postseason to help quiet the noise surrounding Datsyuk’s poor play, he easily could have been given the Hayes/Miller treatment. He could have been driven out of town by fans demanding more when the games mattered most.
Then, he could have provided more for the next organization he played for.
Datsyuk represents a perfect example of how streaky NHL players are. For a while he could not solve a goalie in the playoffs for the life of him. However he learned how to flip a switch and become unstoppable. It took the long-time Red Wing over four years to do so, including years of his prime. Detroit’s patience paid off.
The label of “poor playoff performer” and the insistence Datsyuk did not possess the “clutch gene” could have buried him. Instead, he was treated with the understanding that talent level is talent level and talented players figure things out. That must be the case with Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller.
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The Colin Wilson Story
One of the top story-lines this postseason has been the Nashville Predators’ stupendous play. Colin Wilson’s Game Five goal helped Nashville continue their run, but outside of that goal he has been largely invisible. TV analysts and pundits across the board have demanded more out of Wilson, speaking openly about his inability to succeed during the most important stretch of hockey this season.
Now, you may wonder why the name Colin Wilson sounds so familiar.
Last year, Wilson tallied 13 points in 14 playoff games, earning the nickname “playoff Willy.” He was the talk of the NHL until the Predators fell to the San Jose Sharks in the second round.
Now, Wilson’s four points in 13 games leave him often criticized and even one of the favorites to be kicked out of town when the Las Vegas Golden Knights come calling. That is how quickly the page turns on postseason success or failure.
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Thus, one six goal postseason by Kevin Hayes, or one 14 point postseason for J.T. Miller should end this narrative altogether. And if it’s that simple to end a narrative, that narrative driving the logic behind trading one of those two players is absolutely absurd.
Before driving a player out of town for their postseason play, think of Pavel Datsyuk and Colin Wilson. Small sample sizes are dangerous.