Hayes of glory
It’s hard to think Kevin Hayes ever was, or ever will be, short on confidence.
But even the Rangers’ breakout rookie center couldn’t have guessed what has transpired this season, him being an integral piece of a team that just won the Presidents’ Trophy as the best in the regular season.
“It’s been great these last six months,” Hayes said after Tuesday night’s 42 win over the Devils, a game in which he had a goal and two assists and his Blueshirts wrapped up home ice throughout the playoffs. “Obviously, it’s something I didn’t really envision at the time. I wanted to make the team out of camp, lucky that I did, and the guys kind of accepted me here. They made me feel comfortable in the locker room and I can go out and play the game that Iwanted to play.”
That aforementioned training camp seems so long ago now, as the Rangers will return from Wednesday’s day off of practice to wrap up the final two games of the regular season starting Thursday night when the Senators come to the Garden. When Hayes, 22, began his pro career in September, his viability as an immediate contributor to the defending
Rookie key to Rangers’ success Eastern Conference champions was in question. He had just signed a freeagent deal with the Rangers, having spent four years playing at Boston College and then spurning the Blackhawks, who drafted him with the 24th over all pick in the 2010 draft but who were never able toget him to sign a contract.
Hayes had grown up playing left wing, and had played right wing throughout most of his collegiate career. Yet the Rangers were in dire need of a thirdline center, and so the 6foot2, 201pounder slid into the middle and started showing his skill.
“Obviously, he’s progressed skillwise, he’s progressed hockey knowledge wise,” said coach Alain Vigneault, who has watched Hayes amass 16 goals and 43 points in his first 77 NHL games. “He’s become an important part of our team. He’s a big skilled centerman, and that’s something thatwe need.”
Hayes has already found some chemistry with Carl Hagelin on his left, as the Swedish speedster has been his flank for most of the season. With the ability to push defensemen back with his quickness, Hagelin has opened ice for Hayes to use his vision and hands to create offensive opportunities.
“I’m pretty confident in my abilities, but yea, I’ve been lucky,” Hayes said. “I’ve been lucky with the guys I’ve played with, especially Carl Hagelin. He’s made it easy on the ice for me. He’s been really helpful in my development, I can’t say enough great things about him.”
Probably even luckier for Hayes is getting Martin St. Louis to join the right side of the unit, starting four games ago when the future Hall of Famerre-turned froma rightknee injury. St. Louis has one goal and two assists in that span, while the line has combined for three goals and seven assists in those four contests, all wins.
The line was so liked by Vigneault that when itwas learned Mats Zuccarello wouldn’t play on Tuesday night due to “overall body soreness,” the coach didn’t make the most obvious choice of bumping up St. Louis to Zuccarello’s regular spot with Rick Nash and Derick Brassard. Instead, St. Louis stayed with Hayes and Hagelin, while Jesper Fast became the placeholder.
And the play of Hayes in particular on that night enabled the Rangers to secure the most coveted prize of the regular season. Nowthe prize becomes a lot larger, with the Blueshirts as the favorites to win the Stanley Cup and Hayes as a cog in the wheel.
“We’re lucky enough to have guys in this locker room, especially [ from] last year and older guys that have been there many times,” said Hayes, acknowledging the Rangers run to the Cup final last spring. “I’ll be asking questions and listening to advice. I look forward to it.”