Two months left for the Rangers to make a decision on Kevin Hayes
Rick Carpiniello of The Athletic: New York Rangers 26-year old forward Kevin Hayes will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. The Rangers will have about two months to attempt to re-sign him or look to deal him by the deadline.
“That’s none of my business,” Hayes told The Athletic Friday morning after practice. “That’s my agent and Gorts, to be honest. I have no say in it. It’s Gorts’ ultimate decision. Whatever he wants to do. I’m not expecting anything, but we’ll see in a couple of days. That’s why I have an agent. I just play hockey.
“Like I said, I’m not expecting anything to happen. Gorts has a plan that he probably has set in stone here. We’ll find out soon or …”
The Rangers are officially allowed to negotiate with him after January 1st.
“I have no idea what the Rangers are going to do at this point,” said Hayes’ agent Robert Murray. “That’s their decision more than ours. We’ll see what they do after the first.”
Before agreeing on a one-year, $5.175 million deal this past offseason, the Rangers were believed to have offered Hayes a five-year extension at under $6 million. To get him re-signed they know it would take at least six years and over $6 million per.
If the Rangers look to trade him at the deadline, they could ask for at least a first-round draft pick, maybe a top prospect or a young NHL-ready player.
The Rangers could be buyers this offseason and looking at some big names
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Pierre LeBrun was on TSN 1050 radio and was asked that despite possibly moving some pending unrestricted free agents at the deadline, could they become buyers this offseason.
LeBrun adds that he doesn’t see goaltender Henrik Lundqvist moving anywhere. They met with him last year after they decided they were going to rebuild and he’s okay with it.
As for free agents:
“I think it’d be a prime landing spot for Artemi Panarin.”
And for the potential cost for Panarin:
“I tweeted this earlier this season,” recalled LeBrun. “And I think I said $10 million to $11 million was what they would ask for. But Dan Milstein would not confirm that publicly at all.”
New York is a city Panarin would definitely look at playing in, and they would have a shot at signing him if he goes to market. Anyone else?
“What about Erik Karlsson if he doesn’t sign in San Jose. Good pals with Henrik Lundqvist.”
