Kevin Hayes role with the New York Rangers continues to grow. Alain Vigneault’s misusage of the fourth year center could prove damaging to both Hayes and the team.
The New York Rangers question marks at the center position aren’t going anywhere. Adding fuel to the discussion is Alain Vigneault’s continued questionable deployment of Kevin Hayes.
Offseason roster shuffling
With the departure of Derek Stepan and Oscar Lindberg, the defensive responsibility for the team’s centers must be delegated. Unfortunately, Vigneault’s options are slim and his choice seems to be made.
Mika Zibanejad will effectively take over as the all-purpose number one center. His role will differ than that of Stepan’s, playing to his strengths on the power play as opposed to the penalty kill. Meanwhile, rookie Filip Chytil should see the majority of his deployment in the offensive zone.
This leaves Hayes and newcomer David Desharnais as the remaining centers on the roster. Desharnais does have experience playing on both sides of the puck. However, in a fourth-line capacity, his minutes will be limited and he is unlikely to match up against the NHL’s top competition.
This all but leaves Kevin Hayes as Vigneault’s remaining option. However, the fourth-year center out of Boston College is no stranger to his head coach’s tactics.
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Hayes’ evolving role
Last season, Hayes saw over 59% of his zone starts on the defensive side of the puck. That comes after two straight seasons of playing primarily above 60% of his starts in the offensive zone to start his career.
It was expected that Hayes would assume a larger role with the team lacking center depth. Somewhat surprisingly he has been absent from either of the team’s power play units. However, last season’s body of work shows why that might be.
Hayes, as well as his linemates J.T. Miller and Michael Grabner, are opportunistic players. Much of their offensive attack is based on their ability to capitalize when given an opening on the fly. This often leads to team’s trading scoring chances at both ends of the ice.
Ultimately, Hayes’ high-risk, high-reward style of play may not fit the role he is being asked to assume. In the long run, he could become a detriment to his team, as well as his own development.
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What can change?
Until the regular season begins there is no telling what the Rangers lineup usage is going to look like. Under the current circumstances, and the roster pieces available, Vigneault may have no choice but to use Hayes as he sees fit.
If the conditions remain the same, Hayes will have to change his game to fit the team’s needs more appropriately. That would mean sacrificing some in areas of his game that are what make him an effective contributor offensively.
Moving forward, however, it has always been an assumption that GM Jeff Gorton and his staff would be actively seeking a center at the trade deadline. Finding a player that can lighten the defensive load of more offensive-mind players such as Hayes and Chytil will help stretch the lineup.
The most likely framework for Hayes’ success will be somewhere in the middle of these two scenarios. As he becomes a solidified veteran in the NHL, Hayes must develop his game in a way that benefits his teammates more. At the same time, Gorton and Vigneault must find a way to reinforce the defensive center role in order to maximize the
As he becomes a solidified veteran in the NHL, Hayes must develop his game in a way that benefits his teammates more. At the same time, Gorton and Vigneault must find a way to reinforce the defensive center role in order to maximize their nightly lineup.
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Without a doubt, Kevin Hayes will play an integral part in any success the New York Rangers may have this season. It will be up to him and his coaches to make sure this transition into the next phase of his career goes smoothly.
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