Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Numerous Reports Of Kevin Hayes Signing With The New York Rangers

08/20/2014 at 11:48am EDT

from Brian Costello of The Hockey News,

So how good is this Kevin Hayes?

Hayes was drafted in the first round, 24th overall by Chicago, in 2010. If that draft were to be re-held today, Hayes probably wouldn’t go in the first round. More than likely, he’d be a second round pick. At least 25 players from the 2010 have established themselves as NHL regulars and, according to our Future Watch scouting committee, at least 15 other players drafted in 2010 rank as better prospects than Hayes.

But that doesn’t mean Hayes can’t play catch-up with those other 2010 draftees in the seasons to come. He does have compelling credentials. After three middling seasons at Boston College, in which the budding power forward scored just 17 goals and 67 points in 102 games, he blossomed as a senior. Playing on a line with Hobey Baker Award winner Johnny Gaudreau and Bill Arnold – both draft picks of the Calgary Flames, one of many teams vying for his services once he became a free agent – Hayes used his size and playmaking ability to an impressive 27 goals and 65 points in 40 games.

more

added 12:35pm, New York Rangers release is below...

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free agent forward Kevin Hayes.

Hayes, 22, skated in 40 games with the Boston College Eagles of Hockey East (NCAA) this past season, registering 27 goals and 38 assists for 65 points, along with 16 penalty minutes and a plus-34 rating. Hayes was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in collegiate hockey, and he was named to the NCAA East First All-American Team and Hockey East’s First All-Star Team. He established collegiate career-highs in goals, assists, points, plus/minus rating, power play goals (six), and game-winning goals (six). Hayes ranked second in the nation in points, third in plus/minus rating, fourth in assists, and fifth in goals. He finished second on Boston College in goals, points, game-winning goals, and shots on goal (140), tied for second in power play goals, and ranked third in assists and plus/minus rating.

The 6-5, 225-pounder tallied a career-high, 12-game point streak from November 29 vs. Holy Cross to January 25 at Penn State (13 goals, 14 assists over the span). He registered his first career hat trick and recorded a single-game career-high with five points on January 18 vs. Maine. Hayes finished the season with five consecutive multi-point games, including a four-point effort (two goals, two assists) in the Northeast Regional Semifinal vs. Denver on March 29.

Hayes skated in 142 career collegiate games over four seasons with Boston College, registering 44 goals and 88 assists for 132 points. He ranks 28th on Boston College’s all-time assists list and 42nd on the school’s all-time points list. During Hayes’ four-year tenure with the Eagles, the team won the Hockey East Championship twice, and won the National Championship in 2011-12.

The Dorchester, Massachusetts native has also represented Team USA on several occasions. Most recently, Hayes tallied two points (one goal, one assist) in eight games at the 2014 IIHF World Championship in Minsk, Belarus.

Hayes was originally selected by Chicago in the first round, 24th overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Create an Account

In order to leave a comment, please create an account.

About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at [email protected]

Most Recent Posts

Most Recent Comments

Comment by calquake in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Time To Talk On A Day Off - 21 minutes ago
Comment by bigfrog in Kukla's Korner Hockey from the entry Nashville's Top Line - 3 hours ago
Comment by exor54 in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Time To Talk On A Day Off - 4 hours ago
Comment by RWHockey13 in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Time To Talk On A Day Off - 5 hours ago
Comment by damndogrevenge in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Time To Talk On A Day Off - 5 hours ago