Rangers Re-Sign Hayes

All of a sudden, the New York Rangers are making some real progress with their free agents, as Kevin Hayes re-signed on Monday, leaving only Ryan Spooner and his possible arbitration hearing left on the table.

Hayes and the Rangers agreed upon a 1-year, $5.175 million deal at the start of the week, avoiding the hearing that was scheduled for later on in the week and it will bring Hayes to unrestricted free agency next summer, barring any sort of contract extension in the New Year.

The 26-year old has been a pretty good mid-level forward for the Rangers since joining on, last season posting 44 points in 76 games, which was good enough for 175th overall in pool scoring, 128th among all forwards.

It's hard to say whether or not Hayes has a long-term future with the Rangers, given the 1-year deal, but he has certainly been rewarded, salary-wise, for putting up a couple of consistent seasons in the mid-40 point range.  I think he can be a guy that can hit the 50-point range here in his career and if the pieces fall fairly for him, he could do it as soon as this season.

This signing now on the books leaves the Rangers with about $8 million in cap space, give or take burying Matt Beleskey in the minors once again, but that's a decision that can be made after camp.  Spooner is the only one of any real value left to be signed and I get the feeling that the Rangers will want to extend him much further than just one season.