New York Rangers rumors: 5 best fits for Kevin Hayes

All signs point to the New York Rangers and center Kevin Hayes parting ways in the near future. Which teams make the most sense for him?

The New York Rangers are focused on building their roster with the future in mind. Which is why it’s quite telling they only signed restricted free agent center Kevin Hayes to a one-year deal. It’s unknown which of the two parties didn’t want a long-term deal.

This should set off a few red flags. First of all, there are two reasons why a rebuilding team would only sign a player for one year. They either want to get to know more about the player or they want to use him as trade bait.

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The first can be ruled out, as Hayes has proven himself deserving of a long-term commitment. A center who you can pencil in for 40 points a year (he has reached that three times in four seasons) has value.

Despite being in a sub-optimal role and system, Hayes has been arguably the Rangers’ best center over the past two seasons. At worst, he’s been their second-best.

This leaves the second option – a trade. While it’s not completely set in stone, as the Rangers could, in theory, sign Hayes to an extension after Jan. 1 if something changes, the one-year deal suggests he’s not a part of the Blueshirts future. Especially considering he had one year left of team control going into this offseason.

Given the Rangers plethora of young centers, it was almost a guarantee either Hayes or Mika Zibanejad would be moved in the near future. All signs point to the former being the guy who will be traded.

The Rangers were wise to sign him to the one-year deal. Hayes can create offense on his own, which should be highlighted in new head coach David Quinn’s system. This should help him significantly improve his value. That will help both the Rangers (who will be able to get more for the center) and Hayes (who should be able to get a more lucrative deal in free agency).

Let’s take a look at which teams should make a trade for him.

5. Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars were surprisingly in on John Tavares before he eventually decided to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs. They’ve also been linked to two-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson. These two facts lead to one conclusion – the Stars are focused on winning now.

Looking at their roster, Dallas lacks a clear second line center. Radek Faksa is an ideal third line center, but not a top-six caliber one (at least not yet). Mattias Janmark has shown the potential, but not the results necessary for the Stars to rely on him to lead the second line.

If Martin Hanzal‘s back is healthy (that’s a giant if), he’s a quality center who can gobble up minutes. However, the Stars should prepare as if he isn’t healthy. Hayes would give Dallas a much-needed boost on offense. Last season, the Stars’ second line struggled to generate offense. Hayes has proven he can do that.

On paper, he should be a nice fit in new head coach Jim Montgomery‘s system that took the NCAA by storm. Hayes could be a long-term option in Dallas. But all that matters is right now, he would make the Stars a better team. Expect Dallas to at least kick the tires on Hayes.

4. Philadelphia Flyers

Yes, it would be mighty awkward to see the New York Rangers deal with a divisional foe like the Philadelphia Flyers. But remember, the former showed no hesitation when trading Michael Grabner to the New Jersey Devils last season. This proves the Rangers, for the right price, will do deals with a direct competitor.

The Flyers could certainly use Hayes, given their third-line center quagmire. They have a pretty outstanding group of top-six forwards. Unless the Flyers decide to make Claude Giroux a center again (not a good idea after he posted his best season in years as a left wing), Philly’s options down the middle on the third line are unimpressive.

Hayes would be a great option for the Broad Street Bullies short-term. He’d give them three scoring lines, much like their in-state rival Pittsburgh Penguins had when they won two straight Stanley Cups.

Obviously, Sean Couturier, Hayes, and Giroux wouldn’t be as good as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Phil Kessel were during those two title runs. But still, the Flyers would have three lines capable of putting pucks in the net. Most importantly, Hayes would buy Morgan Frost an extra year of development and remove the temptation to rush him.

To top it off, the Flyers have a deep pool of outstanding prospects. So even if their general manager Ron Hextall doesn’t call the Rangers about Hayes, general manager Jeff Gorton should be proactive and give Philly a call.

3. New York Islanders

For the record, it’s highly improbable the New York Rangers and New York Islanders would do business with each other. But you never know. And, unlike the Flyers, the Islanders have a bit more motivation to look for an upgrade at center. Since Hayes is the best one currently on the trade market, the Isles must do their due diligence and at least see how much he would cost them.

The Islanders already have a likely number one center in Mathew Barzal. It remains to be seen if he can produce despite teams being able to gameplan against him, which he didn’t have to do last season thanks to Tavares, but a lot of things about his game suggests he’s a top-line caliber pivot.

Barzal and Hayes wouldn’t be as potent as the duo of he who shall not be named and Barzal from last season, but the Islanders have very few internal options to put on their second line. Brock Nelson should be a wing. Jan Kovar might be a decent option, but it remains to be seen how his game will translate to the NHL. That’s not the case with Hayes.

The Islanders drafted extremely well in 2018. This could give them a bit of confidence, as they might be willing to part with a draft pick if it means adding someone like Hayes. However, the Islanders would likely want to know he’ll stick around long-term before trading for him. And after how the Tavares situation ended, who can blame them?

2. San Jose Sharks

Much like the Stars, the San Jose Sharks were a surprising participant in the Tavares free agency sweepstakes. His decision reportedly came down to the Sharks and Maple Leafs. But, much like Dallas, San Jose’s been a bit quiet as far as pursuing upgrades to their roster. They’ve mostly focused on re-signing their own guys like Joe Thornton and Tomas Hertl.

With just over $4 million of cap space, this begs the question – what are the Sharks planning? Perhaps a trade for Hayes? While the Sharks, on paper, would need to clear some cap room to take on his $5.175 million cap hit, the Rangers could help out by taking on someone like Melker Karlsson.

Even with Thornton, the Sharks could use someone like Hayes. Acquiring him would give San Jose some flexibility with their lineup, which is never a bad thing. They could, for instance, put Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski on the same forward line.

Anaheim Ducks fans might argue Hayes would make more sense for them. And, in theory, they’re right. But their general manager Bob Murray has shied away from huge deals unless his hand is forced (like it was with the Sami Vatanen for Adam Henrique trade). It seems unlikely he’ll do it again, even with Ryan Kesler injured. Sharks general manager Doug Wilson, on the other hand, loves to live dangerously. He’s the type of guy who would acquire Hayes to go all-in.