Kevin Hayes re-signs with New York Rangers for two years

Restricted free agent forward Kevin Hayes has agreed to a two-year deal worth $2.6 million per year with the New York Rangers.

The New York Rangers came into this offseason with three major restricted free agents. After re-signing Chris Kreider to a four-year deal and J.T. Miller to a two-year deal, the Rangers finished signing their major RFAs by signing Kevin Hayes to a two-year deal worth $2.6 million.

Hayes will have a $2.6 million cap hit through the 2017-18 NHL season. That’s a very reasonable cap hit for Hayes considering that Hayes has 81 points through his first two seasons. He has also added seven points in the playoffs. Hayes had 36 points in 2015-16 after getting 45 points in 2014-15. He scored 14 goals in 2015-16, down from his 17 goals in 2014-15.

Despite his talent, Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault hasn’t given Hayes the increase in ice time that he has likely warranted. After averaging 13:02 of ice time per game in 2014-15, he saw just 13:40 of ice time per game in 2015-16 and was often on the third or fourth forward line.

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Vigneault’s unwillingness to trust Hayes is likely what kept the two sides from doing a long-term deal. In order for Hayes to get a long-term deal, he has to earn the trust of Vigneault.

Hayes was the 24th overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2010 NHL Draft. However, much like Jimmy Vesey, Hayes did not sign with the Blackhawks and became a free agent. He signed with the Rangers before the 2014-15 season.

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