During preseason the New York Rangers converted Kevin Hayes from a winger back to center. I say back to center because he does have a history of playing the pivot.
“My first two years at college I played center. I didn’t make the switch. I was told,… he said and then he joined Johnny Gaudreau and Bill Arnold on a very productive top line that fueled Boston College to the Frozen Four last spring.
When you’re a part of the best line “in the nation… and then you try and make the jump to the NHL; confidence isn’t an issue. The Dorchester, MA native felt like he was already playing at a high level and wasn’t worried about the jump to the best league in the world.
“It’s pretty similar. Those are two high end players. There’s a lot of high end players here within this program (The Rangers). I was playing wing back then and right now I’m playing center. I’m comfortable with it and I think I’m getting better every game.…
He said that before his first-pro preseason game. He’s a cool customer. He’s a 6-5, 225, smooth skating hockey player. He can keep up with anybody on the Rangers including Chris Kreider who he did play with before the NHL.
His issue is face-offs. He’s hovering around 30% the last four games. When Derek Stepan eventually returns (it won’t be against Detroit), he has to raise his game to about the 40% mark. Chris Mueller has been in the 40’s. He’s 28 and has a lot more experience.
When I asked Hayes about draws he gave the right answer, “Something I definitely need to work on.…
Mueller (5-11, 210) has 2 points in six games and Hayes has 2 points in 8 but I see so much more upside in Hayes. He will make 1-2 plays a game that give he or his teammates scoring chances because of his size. You can’t teach size.
At the end of the day the Rangers can always move Hayes back to the wing, but the problem won’t be solved. It might be for this season but moving forward the Rangers lack of a bonafied #1 center and no real depth at the position means this experiment has to last much longer than 8 games. They can’t abandon this plan, they have to give it half a season at least. Hayes talked about his what he needs to do to stick with the big club.
“Just be consistent with my game. Being a big guy, hold on to the puck. Create some offensive chances and be on arrival in the d-zone.…
Every team wants to compete, and the word “rebuild… has never been in GM Glen Sather’s vocabulary. Yes he’s “retooled… many times and this is one of those times. Alain Vigneault has to show a bit more patience in hopes of gaining something more valuable down the road. Give Hayes a chance. That’s my take.
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