Hartnett: Rookie Kevin Hayes Is Impressing Rangers With His Veteran Poise

By Sean Hartnett
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Ahead of Sunday's shutout victory over the San Jose Sharks, Rangers center Kevin Hayes described the opportunity to center a line between the league's leading goal scorer, Rick Nash, and former Boston College linemate Chris Kreider to being like "a little kid in a candy store."

Even though Hayes is fresh out of college and only four games into his NHL career, head coach Alain Vigneault is impressed with Hayes' poise with the puck and intelligent decision-making.

"It seemed to me that Hayes looked more comfortable tonight," Vigneault said of Hayes. "There's a big body that with the puck shows a lot of poise. With his size, he can protect that puck. I thought in our own end, he was in the right positions. He didn't panic the couple times when he got the puck down low, hung on to it, made the high-percentage plays. He's taking steps every day and it needs to continue."

Seven minutes into the third period, Hayes pressured Sharks defenseman Brent Burns along the corner boards to win the puck, wrapped around San Jose's net and snapped a quick shot. He then followed his initial shot to score unassisted. Hayes believes his confidence is surging with each passing game.

"Hopefully, it's a springboard into more goals," Hayes said. "Confidence just comes with games. Every game you play, you get more and more confident. You start to realize you're doing things well and belong here."

The 22-year-old was delighted to score his first career NHL goal in Sunday's 4-0 victory over San Jose in front of family and friends who made the trip from Massachusetts to Madison Square Garden.

"It was awesome," Hayes said. "Being able to score with my mom and my godmother here, and being able to share that moment with family and friends was pretty surreal."

Hayes said he will send the puck home to dad in Dorchester, Mass.

"I'll probably send it home to my dad," Hayes said.

BRASSARD ON HAYES: 'HE KIND OF PLAYS LIKE JOE THORNTON'

Teammate Derick Brassard raves about Hayes' hockey sense, poise and playmaking vision.

"His poise with the puck is really good for his first year," Brassard said. "I think he's got a good future ahead of him. The great thing about him is that he's not 18 or 19. He's coming out of college and played against older guys there. He sees the ice really well. I think his hockey sense is one of his main assets. He's really poised and has shown a lot of confidence. I would say that he's impressed a lot of people. It's really big for our organization to get a guy like that, a former first-round pick."

Brassard sees some similarities between Hayes and big-bodied Sharks center Joe Thornton. Hayes is listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds in the Rangers' official media guide. Thornton is nicknamed "Jumbo Joe" for his 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame.

"It's kind of a big comparison, but he kind of plays like Joe Thornton," Brassard said. "Same size, he plays the same way -- long reach, really tall guy, strong on the puck, sees the ice well."

'BUGSY' MALONE, RANGERS VETERANS TAKE HAYES UNDER THEIR WING

Hayes credits veteran forward Ryan Malone as a positive influence and is attempting to emulate Malone's on-ice and off-ice work habits.

"Me and Bugsy have gotten really close here," Hayes said. "He's been super nice to me, giving me pointers and stuff. He's been in the league 11 years. He's a good guy to follow. We're both pretty big guys. Having him here, you take in as much information as you possibly can. I'm trying to follow whatever he does, and how he does it. I'm kind of mimicking what he does on and off the ice."

Including Malone and Boston College buddy Kreider, Hayes has walked into a dressing room full of teammates who are offering advice on how to be a successful pro. Hayes is making sure he listens closely, soaking everything in.

"Kreids and I were close in college," Hayes said. "We were linemates in college. It's nice having him here, but I can pretty much name the whole team. Guys like Brass and Marty (St. Louis), every guy reaches out and tries to help. Marty's always telling me to relax and not to get spooked out by the speed and pace. As a young guy here, you kind of just sit back, take it all in, keep my ears open and keep my mouth shut a little bit. Whatever they say, I incorporate it throughout my daily activities."

HAYES REFLECTS ON DECISION TO SIGN WITH RANGERS, SAYS FORMER RANGER BRIAN BOYLE WAS 'A HUGE INFLUENCE'

This past summer, Hayes allowed his rights with the Chicago Blackhawks to expire in mid-August. Hayes did not reach an agreement with the Blackhawks and immediately became a highly-coveted unrestricted free agent. A number of teams, including the Blackhawks, made their pitches. Hayes eventually opted to sign with the Rangers on August 20.

"It was a pretty awkward summer, not knowing where I was going," Hayes said. "To be honest, Chicago was never out of the picture. Once August 15th came it was pretty hectic. I talked to Kreider, he told me everything about living and playing in New York. Brian Boyle was also a huge influence in why I came here."

While skating and working out with Boyle during the summer in Foxboro, Mass., Hayes was able to pick Boyle's brain about his five-year stint with the Rangers between 2009 and 2014.

"I worked out with him every day during the summer in Foxboro," Hayes said. "We skated every day. Brian was a huge, huge influence. He had nothing but unbelievable things to say about New York, the coaching staff, the guys, the city, the fans and everything.

Even though Boyle had endured an offseason breakup with the Blueshirts and had signed a three-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning, he only had positive things to say about the Rangers' organization.

"Hearing that from him after he wasn't able to come back was kind of eye-opening," Hayes said. "It speaks to what kind of organization this club is, the management and all the behind-the-scenes guys."

After consulting with his family and agent Robert Murray, Hayes felt that signing with the Rangers was the best option, given the opportunity to compete for a roster spot right away with the reigning Eastern Conference champions. Hayes comes from a hockey family. His 24-year-old brother, Jimmy, is a winger on the Florida Panthers. Keith Tkachuk, who scored 538 goals, and 17-year pro Tom Fitzgerald are two big-name cousins who enjoyed storied NHL careers.

Now after experiencing a taste of the Big Apple success, Hayes is delighted with his decision to join the Rangers.

"I sat down with my brother, my family and my agent to figure out where the best short-term and long-term needs were," Hayes said. "We thought New York would be the best fit. I'm happy with my decision. I don't regret it at all. It's been amazing so far. It's only going to get better."

GIRARDI AND KLEIN SUFFER THIRD-PERIOD INJURIES, BOTH ARE DAY-TO-DAY

Following Sunday's victory, Vigneault said that both Dan Girardi and Kevin Klein are "day-to-day."

Girardi blocked a shot with his leg during the first minute of the third period. He did not return after heading into the dressing room with trainer Jim Ramsay. Vigneault described the injury as a laceration that required stitches.

"I think from the impact of the shot, (he) just cut himself," Vigneault said. "He got some stitches. I don't know the number. I would say that he's day-to-day right now."

Defenseman Kevin Klein took a puck to the chin late in the third period. Vigneault said that Klein might have lost his trademark goatee.

"Same thing. A cut," Vigneault said while stroking his chin. "I think he lost the (goatee)."

The Rangers will face the rival Devils at Prudential Center on Tuesday night. Turnover-prone defenseman Mike Kostka is currently the only spare defenseman on the Rangers' roster.

Follow Sean on Twitter @HartnettHockey.

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