New York Rangers signing Kevin Hayes is right move

The New York Rangers signing Kevin Hayes to a one-year deal can benefit the team in the near and long-term future.

After speculation on whether or not forward Kevin Hayes and the New York Rangers would reunite for a fifth season, the team announced on Monday that Hayes has been inked to a one-year deal that’s worth over $5 million.

The Dorchester, Mass. native is officially a Ranger, for now.

While the restricted-free-agent and the Rangers were set to have an arbitration hearing late this week on Aug. 2, the two sides avoided that meeting by signing Hayes to a controversial contract. Or, does the move actually make more sense than it appears at first glance?

Yes.

Sure, the Broadway Blueshirts already entailed depth at the center position prior to re-signing the 26-year-old, but considering that New York is in a transition year adding more value down the middle of the ice can’t harm the team any more than not re-signing him.

It would appear that the $5-plus million is arguably too much money to spend on a skater that’s never recorded more than 50 points in a season, but perhaps the friendly payday is the extra motivation that Hayes needs to be a more consistent and productive forward.

Considering that the former first-round draft pick (2010) is playing in another contract year, and one in which he’ll have more of a chance to blossom with a new head coach in David Quinn, the Rangers could end up benefiting from the deal in two major aspects.

For starters, Hayes could have that breakout season that the Garden Faithful have been so eagerly waiting for since 2015, which may improve the team’s chances at earning a wild card spot in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Or, even if the Rangers find themselves out of playoff contention come February, the Rangers could find a suitor that’s willing to strike a trade with them prior to the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline.

Similar to the team dealing forwards Rick Nash and Michael Grabner at the 2018 trade deadline, the Rangers could take that approach with Hayes and receive the necessary assets in return to enhance the New York’s rebuilding-phase.

Though, unlike the Nash and Grabner deals, the team could then turn around and negotiate a new contract with Hayes next summer when he’s set to hit UFA for the first time in his career.

The reality is that the deal doesn’t affect the Rangers in a negative sense given the timing of the deal. The Rangers have plenty of cap space ($9,676,431, per CapFriendly) and are essentially in no rush to get back to the playoffs, either.

The Hayes signing could end up benefiting the team in a number of ways for the near and long-term future.

Keep in mind that the team can also begin negotiations for a contract-extension with Hayes as early as Jan. 1 2019.