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Grading the Rangers: Kevin Hayes

June 9, 2016, 7:59 AM ET [207 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Blog parameters:

Each person covered will be given a rating. Factoring into that rating will of course be his performance but another input is going to be performance versus expectation coming into the season. Much of the background I likely covered in my tear down blogs, so don't expect massive chapter and verse but possibly some quick hitting information if not already covered in those blogs. In addition, to create some parameters, a player will have had to play 20 games to get a grade. Anything less means there isn't a representative sample for which to make a decision, so Brady Skjei and Marek Hrivik, to name two, will not get grades.

Here is where it gets really funky and interactive. I want you the reader to comment on the blog as to the rating. But not just hey I think you are right on or you are crazy but to provide your own rating and rationale for it. So if you agree with what I wrote, great, say that. But if the belief is the rating should be higher or lower, then you have to provide the rationale accordingly. Plus and minus grades are allowed to enable a broader opinion. Before the next blog, we will see if the blog comments consensus rating mirrors mine.

In addition, to shake it up, I will jump around a bit, so not all the players of the same rating are listed in a row, same with positions. So in the immortal words of Forrest Gump, you never know what you're going to get.

Covered in this blog: Kevin Hayes

This is what I wrote on Part IV of my Rangers tear down and post-mortem blogs.
Kevin Hayes, the other half of the K (reider) and K boys, million dollar arm and ten cent head? Sophomore slump? A combination of the two? Whatever it was, after a extremely promising rookie season capped by an even better playoffs, he regressed dramatically this season, impacted by a less than stellar work ethic. That drop off resulted in Hayes getting scratched from several contests as a way to try and get him back to center. It worked occasionally but then he would revert back to prior form. Hayes ended up a healthy scratch the last two games of the playoffs making his future in NY questionable.

AV tried to put those rumors to rest on his post-season meeting with the media. When asked if Hayes, who had 14 goals and 22 assists this season, was still in the team’s plans, Vigneault quickly answered, “Yes, yes, without a doubt. I mean, there’s so much potential there. But I’ve seen … there are tons of guys who have potential. Not all of them figure it out.” That dangerous word potential. We saw in 2014-15 snippets of that potential. The size and puck handling ability along with capacity to create offset by slow foot speed, a lack of hockey awareness and an inability to win draws. This year, we saw potential unfulfilled as his flaws were more prominent.

Hayes, an RFA, made 900k this past season. The bonuses he earned after his fine rookie campaign did not kick in against this year. That should make his qualifying offer cheaper, making it easier to decide to keep him but also more attractive to others. Hayes was bounced between wing and center, which might have retarded his development. But his struggles were largely due to what's between his eyes and a poor work ethic. If one of Kreider/Miller/Hayes is to go, my bet is on Hayes.


Overall Grade: D (I think I explained above why this rating fits without actually stating the grade. Given the expectations and how far Hayes was from meeting them, a D might be e generous. The very mild pass he may get is due to the constant shifting from C to W, but that was also partially due to his inability to settle in or excel anywhere.

There is lots of speculation that Derick Brassard or Derek Stepan are on the block and will go. If New York doesn't land Steven Stamkos or obtain a center back on any deal, guess who your second center might be? That's right, Hayes, and how comfortable are you if he ends up having to fill that spot? Hayes will need to make major strides and revert back to playing like he did two years ago for team management and the fanbase to have their faith in him restored.

He has a huge hill to climb. It will be interesting to see if he is up to this task. In addition, they coaching staff has to find a way to unlock his potential, so there is a substantial burden on them as well).

Players covered in prior blogs, My grade, Consensus Grade

Viktor Stalberg C+/B-
Chris Kreider C+/C
Mats Zuccarello B+/B+
Kevin Klein C+/C+
Tanner Glass C/D
Rick Nash C-/C
Assistant Coaches C/C
Dan Girardi D+/C or C-
Derick Brassard, B/ B+
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