New York Rangers: What should Kevin Hayes’ next contract look like?
Kevin Hayes is one of seven players on the New York Rangers roster that entered into restricted free agency at the end of the 2017-18 season. With Hayes’ role growing substantially in the past two years, we consider what kind of contract he deserves moving forward.
In his first three seasons with the New York Rangers, Hayes proved to have the potential to be great. In this past year, however, there were signs of just how much he has to give.
Thus far, Hayes has played his entire NHL career under Rangers former head coach Alain Vigneuault.
It is no secret that Vigneault and Hayes had their differences. Vigneault is not known to be the most effective coach when it comes to developing young players, and his treatment of Hayes is a prime example of this.
Hayes never tapped into his full potential playing under Vigneault. After a solid first year in the league, Vigneault benched Hayes for extended periods of time in games during his sophomore season.
Hayes retaliated by coming back in the 2016-17 season 25 pounds lighter, and looked like a different skater. The shift in his game helped him generate chances, and he proved he could make a big impact in the offensive zone.
However, Vigneault began to use Hayes in a more defensive role, and effectively eliminating any strides he had taken.
By burdening him with a majority of the defensive zone faceoffs, Hayes could not focus on the work he should be on the ice to do.
Finally, in 2017-18 Hayes experienced growth in his role for the first time in his career with the Rangers. And the team’s decision to keep Hayes on the roster and move J.T. Miller proves that they see him as an important part of the future.
The question is, what kind of price can we expect?
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The Deal
Kevin Hayes signed an entry-level contract with the Rangers in 2014. He then re-signed in 2016, agreeing to a two-year bridge deal.
With all of the positive things we have seen from him it is likely the Rangers will look to lock him down in a longer-term deal this time around.
I think that something similar to the four year, $4.625 million deal the Rangers agreed to with Chris Kreider after the 2015-16 season would be a good guide in a deal with Hayes.
He has proven that he can be a solid number two center, and a four-year deal would keep him on the roster until he hits 30. In addition, I think we can expect to see the Rangers offer Hayes something in the $4.5-$5.25 million range. I would be open to seeing Hayes on the roster for an extra year if the price is on the lower end.
Hayes is a not-so-unique case on the Rangers roster. Many of the players who are considered veterans have not been given the chance to reach their full potential.
Since he is a prime example, he deserves the opportunity to finally grow into a role he deserves and will thrive in.
We are right on the edge of seeing the player Hayes really is. With a new vision for the team, under a new coach who wants to focus on developing relationships with players, Hayes finally has the platform to truly succeed.
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When this happens, the Rangers will be thankful that they gave him a longer-term contract ensuring that he remains in New York in some of his prime years of hockey.
He will be a player that they can build a team around.