Paul McCann: The Hayes Sweepstakes Heats Up

Paul McCann: The Hayes Sweepstakes Heats Up

The fact that Kevin Hayes did that as a senior for Boston College makes it a little more impressive.
- pmccann

Why does that make it more impressive? The fact that he did it as a 22yr old more physically mature senior playing against largely younger competition on a stacked line makes it less impressive if you ask me.

Especially considering he tripled his GPG and doubled his PPG from the prior season once he was placed on that line.

There's plenty of bottom 6 forwards out there available.

Why does that make it more impressive? The fact that he did it as a 22yr old more physically mature senior playing against largely younger competition on a stacked line makes it less impressive if you ask me.

Especially considering he tripled his GPG and doubled his PPG from the prior season once he was placed on that line.
- eichiefs9

He improved substantially year over year before his senior year anyway.

He improved substantially year over year before his senior year anyway.
- rangerdanger94

Even if he did improve, those numbers before his senior year were not elite, which is what almost all future top 6 NHL'ers produce at junior levels of hockey. If he turns into a solid third liner, whatever team gets him should be thrilled IMO.


And I find that hilarious when you have guys like Winnik/Galiairdi available late in free agency who can fill a bottom 6 winger role as well.

Even if he did improve, those numbers before his senior year were not elite, which is what almost all future top 6 NHL'ers produce at junior levels of hockey. If he turns into a solid third liner, whatever team gets him should be thrilled IMO.


And I find that hilarious when you have guys like Winnik/Galiairdi available late in free agency who can fill a bottom 6 winger role as well.
- Nucker101

Aren't Winnik and Galiardi already signed? Plus Winnik is 29 and Galiaradi is 26. Hayes is bigger than both them, has more of a scoring touch, and is 22. The fact that he's improved considerably every single year of his development gives people reason to believe that he can and most likely will keep developing linearly after making the NHL. People are giving Hayes crap for "demanding" top 6 ice time and being "entitled" but I think his short list proves he doesn't care about any of that and the critisism he gets is undeserved. He looks like he'll be a pretty good NHL player.

I'd say 3rd line is his floor. He's likely already better players than Winnik and Galiardi.

He improved substantially year over year before his senior year anyway.
- rangerdanger94

Improved, yes. But I think the senior year explosion was more due to him, essentially, being an overager and playing with high-end lineys than him carrying that line.

If he kept on pace he probably would have scored about 40p in 40g and nobody would be making a big deal about it.

Aren't Winnik and Galiardi already signed? Plus Winnik is 29 and Galiaradi is 26. Hayes is bigger than both them, has more of a scoring touch, and is 22. The fact that he's improved considerably every single year of his development gives people reason to believe that he can and most likely will keep developing linearly after making the NHL. People are giving Hayes crap for "demanding" top 6 ice time and being "entitled" but I think his short list proves he doesn't care about any of that and the critisism he gets is undeserved. He looks like he'll be a pretty good NHL player.

I'd say 3rd line is his floor. He's likely already better players than Winnik and Galiardi.
- rangerdanger94

This is ridiculous IMO. His floor is a career AHL'er, his realistic upside if everything goes well and he does continue to improve, is a 2nd line winger at best.

This is simply not prospect who's floor is an NHL 3rd liner with a 1st/high-end 2nd line ceiling. The numbers just don't add up to that. Hell, he wasn't even the best player on his own line this past year.

Improved, yes. But I think the senior year explosion was more due to him, essentially, being an overager and playing with high-end lineys than him carrying that line.

If he kept on pace he probably would have scored about 40p in 40g and nobody would be making a big deal about it.
- eichiefs9

Improved, yes. But I think the senior year explosion was more due to him, essentially, being an overager and playing with high-end lineys than him carrying that line.

If he kept on pace he probably would have scored about 40p in 40g and nobody would be making a big deal about it.
- eichiefs9

He played 14 games on a different line last year and still scored at a 1.5 PPG pace. The consistent improvement is the most important thing to me IMO. His flashy senior year numbers are inflated by his 2 linemates but the fact that he still improved every single year, to me, indicated that there's a good chance he will continue to improve once he turns pro. Kreider for example didn't show the same consistent improvement that Hayes did. The thing I love most about Hayes is his size.

This is ridiculous IMO. His floor is a career AHL'er, his realistic upside if everything goes well and he does continue to improve, is a 2nd line winger at best.

This is simply not prospect who's floor is an NHL 3rd liner with a 1st/high-end 2nd line ceiling. The numbers just don't add up to that. Hell, he wasn't even the best player on his own line this past year.
- Nucker101

Why not? Just because you don't like him for being "entitled"? Multiple scouts have said Hayes can step into a top 6 role immediately. I'd rather believe the scouts than a guy who's never watched him play say "if he turns in a 3rd liner the team should be thrilled".

He played 14 games on a different line last year and still scored at a 1.5 PPG pace. The consistent improvement is the most important thing to me IMO. His flashy senior year numbers are inflated by his 2 linemates but the fact that he still improved every single year, to me, indicated that there's a good chance he will continue to improve once he turns pro. Kreider for example didn't show the same consistent improvement that Hayes did. The thing I love most about Hayes is his size.
- rangerdanger94

Yeah, but throughout junior/college hockey there's example of big guys who dominate their leagues once they hit age 20 and then go on to become fringe NHL'ers or career AHL'ers. Obviously his draft pedigree is much better than most of those guys so clearly there's upside there, but he's getting overhyped right now and is far from a sure thing.

Why not? Just because you don't like him for being "entitled"? Multiple scouts have said Hayes can step into a top 6 role immediately. I'd rather believe the scouts than a guy who's never watched him play say "if he turns in a 3rd liner the team should be thrilled".
- rangerdanger94

Nope, I have no issues with him exploiting the system and as a Canucks fan I don't mind seeing the Hwks lose a prospect. Multiple scouts said Justin Schultz was ready for top 4 NHL minutes and had top pairing potential, even calling him a poor man's Niedermayer. These guys get way overhyped, especially when they become free agents.

Of course GM's will be very interested/desperate to sign these types even if they know that they're overhyped or not particularly high on the player, it's a free prospect/asset so there's nothing to lose except a roster spot.


I'll admit I've never seen him play, but I've seen many articles written about how older/bigger guys have inflated junior/collegiate numbers that don't translate into the pros. In the large majority of cases, the player either busts or has to adjust his role and become a grinder type.

I'm not saying he's gonna suck, his absolute ceiling though is likely an OK 2nd liner or a very good third liner, and his total floor is an AHL'er. Not a blue-chip type, just a solid prospect, the kind that you see traded during TDL's, etc.

Yeah, but throughout junior/college hockey there's example of big guys who dominate their leagues once they hit age 20 and then go on to become fringe NHL'ers or career AHL'ers. Obviously his draft pedigree is much better than most of those guys so clearly there's upside there, but he's getting overhyped right now and is far from a sure thing.
- Nucker101

Fair enough. You think he's overhyped, I don't. Truthfully, neither of us have ever watched the kid play so who knows? I do know that with his size and apparent skating ability, coupled with the fact that he clearly has a scoring touch, 3rd line seems like a very safe bet to me.

- Here we go again… The owner of the Florida Panthers is quoted as saying that the Panthers “current business model is not sustainable.” Losing $30 million a year will do that to you… Seattle anyone?


QC city will have a new arena ready soon enough ( this fall)

He played 14 games on a different line last year and still scored at a 1.5 PPG pace. The consistent improvement is the most important thing to me IMO. His flashy senior year numbers are inflated by his 2 linemates but the fact that he still improved every single year, to me, indicated that there's a good chance he will continue to improve once he turns pro. Kreider for example didn't show the same consistent improvement that Hayes did. The thing I love most about Hayes is his size.
- rangerdanger94

You make completely fair points, I just attribute much of his stellar play to the fact that he was a 6'4'' 22yr old man playing against a lot of physically immature, younger competition. I'm taking all those points with a major grain of salt.

You make completely fair points, I just attribute much of his stellar play to the fact that he was a 6'4'' 22yr old man playing against a lot of physically immature, younger competition. I'm taking all those points with a major grain of salt.
- eichiefs9

As Nucker said, history tends to show that these hyped NCAA free agents more often than not turn into busts so you're right to be cautious.

As Nucker said, history tends to show that these hyped NCAA free agents more often than not turn into busts so you're right to be cautious.
- rangerdanger94

And as, I think, you have pointed out in past threads..there's no risk in signing him. It's essentially a free asset, as long as you're not paying out the ass for the kid. I just think that all this hoopla over him right now will be the most that anyone ever hears his name mentioned.

You make completely fair points, I just attribute much of his stellar play to the fact that he was a 6'4'' 22yr old man playing against a lot of physically immature, younger competition. I'm taking all those points with a major grain of salt.
- eichiefs9

The NCAA isnt like junior in that most of the players are twigs - most of the guys on these teams are over 20 a lot are older than 22. My cousin played for Notre Dame a few years back and a lot of that team ranged from 20-24.

The NCAA isnt like junior in that most of the players are twigs - most of the guys on these teams are over 20 a lot are older than 22. My cousin played for Notre Dame a few years back and a lot of that team ranged from 20-24.
- Joel_Eh

Average age of NCAA players is 20.

My buddy started playing at Miami OH as a 21yr old freshman, doesn't mean that everyone is in that scenario.

Why not? Just because you don't like him for being "entitled"? Multiple scouts have said Hayes can step into a top 6 role immediately. I'd rather believe the scouts than a guy who's never watched him play say "if he turns in a 3rd liner the team should be thrilled".
- rangerdanger94

Who are these scouts and why haven't they been arrested for possession of crack?

- Here we go again… The owner of the Florida Panthers is quoted as saying that the Panthers “current business model is not sustainable.” Losing $30 million a year will do that to you… Seattle anyone?


QC city will have a new arena ready soon enough ( this fall)
- WaterBoy

Losing 30 mil a year while the asst. G.M. and vice- president of hockey operations (owners son) have no hockey experience.........hmmm,

Losing 30 mil a year while the asst. G.M. and vice- president of hockey operations (owners son) have no hockey experience.........hmmm,
- wrister

You need more than hockey experience to not lose 30M a year and make profits.


Look at the leafs...