12/12/18 | Elliotte Friedman lists the Bruins as a team that has been connected to Hayes but adds that they will have competition for him. He notes that Hayes would fit what Colorado is looking for. (Sportsnet)
12/10/18 | After playing Saturday’s game on the wing with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes will return to his regular spot in the middle for tonight’s game against Tampa Bay. (NY Post)
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Hayes will be replaced by Vlad Namestnikov on the Rangers top line and will shift between Ryan Strome and Jimmy Vesey against Tampa. (Newsday)
David Quinn had said that long-term the Rangers viewed Hayes as a center and noted on Sunday that after organizational discussions, it was in the team’s best interest for him to play center. (Newsday)
Quinn did note that he would be comfortable moving Hayes to the wing in a situation where he wanted to shorten the bench. (Newsday)
On Saturday against Florida, Hayes played over 14 minutes at 5 on 5 with Zibanejad and Kreider with one goal for and two goals against. (Natural Stat Trick)
Adam Rotter: Hayes has developed into a solid center which was certainly no sure thing after his first couple of years in the NHL. He’s become an important player down the middle for the Rangers and will almost certainly get paid this summer as a center. The Rangers will have to determine soon whether they want to make a run at re-signing him or trade him. The Rangers can start working on an extension on Jan 1 and if they can’t make a deal, or at least make progress, they should trade him ASAP to get as much as they can for a rental. If Hayes is traded by the deadline the next question will be whether there is a chance he could potentially return as a UFA in July.