I am very intrigued about what Kevin Hayes could fetch in a trade, if what Larry is saying is true

A little bit surprised that they would consider trading him being a Boston area college player with a Boston area college coach coming in, I was thinking more along the lines that they would FEATURE him, but who knows what will happen.

This week has the potential to be wild, one of wildest weeks we've had around here outside of playoff runs

hold onto your butts
- jimbro83

im holding on to me cack

i think one of zucc or Hayes goes

Hayes could bring back something pretty good but I think holding on to him for now is wise if the contact is right

Quinn could really get thru to a couple of these guys if things go well, plus there is aways the TD

I think given the direction of the team getting younger and the new coach I would guess Zucc is more likely to get traded than Hayes. With that said, maybe we trade Zucc and tell him we’ll sign him again at the end of the season.

With the buyout period having begun Friday & running through June 30th, many would have suspected last summer that Staal would have been their next candidate, prior to Smith later during this past winter possibly being the option.
With the focus instead now being on their most important Draft in years next weekend, there will also be the need as to whether or not qualify their RFA's by the June 25th deadline. Those include Hayes, Spooner, Namestnikov, Vesey, Skjei, O'Gara, and Gilmour, as well as six on their Hartford roster including in key, Nieves, Tambellini, and Sproul.
Then of course you can never count out free agency for the Rangers, even if under both a retool and youth rebuild, with them still attempting to make a return to the postseason with Hank in 2019. That will begin in earnest when the UFA Interview Period opens on June 24th, leading to the start of Free Agency on July 1st.
It's going to be the busiest two to three off season weeks that Gorton and company will likely have in years, and possibly for years to come.

Nobody mentioned Brendan Smith staying in NY this summer to train with Prentiss. thats honestly a good commitment sign for this season

If he comes back as good as he was in the 17 playoffs that will be big.

If their plan remains the same, then despite having a glut at center, why should a well now experienced Hayes, although an RFA at 26 who also just became a 25 goal scorer, and initially was a former 1st Round Chicago pick, be even thought of possibly dealing? The answer is as Brooks mentioned that there is significant interest in him from other teams. But you still don't make a move like that under their plan, unless the return is a "can't refuse" one in nature due to a "bidding" war, or if the Rangers and Hayes cannot agree to terms on some type of new contract. If the goal is to also compete for a 2019 postseason spot, then the use of a Hayes alone or as one piece in any large deal must be well worth it to either help that need, or at least become younger and faster in a better way more sooner down the line.

With the buyout period having begun Friday & running through June 30th, many would have suspected last summer that Staal would have been their next candidate, prior to Smith later during this past winter possibly being the option.
With the focus instead now being on their most important Draft in years next weekend, there will also be the need as to whether or not qualify their RFA's by the June 25th deadline. Those include Hayes, Spooner, Namestnikov, Vesey, Skjei, O'Gara, and Gilmour, as well as six on their Hartford roster including in key, Nieves, Tambellini, and Sproul.
Then of course you can never count out free agency for the Rangers, even if under both a retool and youth rebuild, with them still attempting to make a return to the postseason with Hank in 2019. That will begin in earnest when the UFA Interview Period opens on June 24th, leading to the start of Free Agency on July 1st.
It's going to be the busiest two to three off season weeks that Gorton and company will likely have in years, and possibly for years to come.
- RangerSaver

As read in the new NY Post?

Nobody mentioned Brendan Smith staying in NY this summer to train with Prentiss. thats honestly a good commitment sign for this season

If he comes back as good as he was in the 17 playoffs that will be big.
- mrn22

I saw that in Brooks's article, with the Rangers expecting to have the Brendan Smith they signed to that 4 years/$17.4M total contract, of which his salary actually decreases these next two seasons from $5M down to $4.525M, followed by $3.35M in the final year.
But with an annual $4.35M cap hit, Smith better return in top game shape this season as opposed to last season's poor shape he was in when reporting to training camp. He also better get along with his teammates properly, after having issues with a player or two while playing later in the season down in Hartford. That's why some after their trade of McDonagh, had felt that if warranted, Smith could have replaced Staal as their one possible buyout candidate this summer. But thankfully, neither appear to be necessary now, and especially so with Staal, given his 11 years of Rangers experience on their back line to best help mentor their younger d'men.

Nobody mentioned Brendan Smith staying in NY this summer to train with Prentiss. thats honestly a good commitment sign for this season

If he comes back as good as he was in the 17 playoffs that will be big.
- mrn22

Ya I saw that, I’m a big fan of his style of play and if he can get that form back I think the left side is in decent shape. The exact type of guy we need especially with Quinn saying he wants to be tougher to play against.

My take on Brooks’ column posted in new blog.

As read in the new NY Post?
- tomburton99

No. As personally had been aware of, or had to research first, prior to being written on my own as always.
Otherwise, as with my comments today, when needing Brooks in some update, I clearly mentioned him as reference on both the off season fitness training of Smith in reply to "mrn", and the "significant" interest that Hayes is drawing from other teams.

Ya I saw that, I’m a big fan of his style of play and if he can get that form back I think the left side is in decent shape. The exact type of guy we need especially with Quinn saying he wants to be tougher to play against.
- nyrangers9479

The day I started at PHP I knew there was a profound difference in how Ben approached strength training. Ben has pushed my game to a level I never realized was possible.

— Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues