New York Rangers forward, Kevin Hayes, has re-signed a one-year deal worth $5.125 million. He was a restricted free agent going into this off-season and will become an unrestricted free agent following the end of the contract.

OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms with RFA Kevin Hayes on a one-year contract. pic.twitter.com/6eeSbLGQQ9

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 30, 2018

Kevin Hayes Re-Signed By The New York Rangers

Kevin Hayes has become a staple in the Rangers lineup. The Chicago Blackhawks 2010 1st round selection spent his following four years turning heads at Boston College. Following his graduation, he signed with New York as a college free agent in 2014. In his rookie season, Hayes posted an impressive 45 points in 79 games. Last season, the 26-year-old almost matched that total, racking up 25 goals and 19 assists for 44 points in 76 games.

A Developing Force

Between his rookie year in 2014 and 2018, Kevin Hayes is ranked 13th in the league for 5v5 primary points, according to Corsica. In 310 games throughout his career, he’s scored a total of 174 points. 124 came while playing 5v5, and 103 were primary points. 83.1% of his points while at full strength are either goals or initial passes leading to a goal. He outranks players such as Patrick Kane (15th), Taylor Hall (21st), Nikita Kucherov (24th), and Alex Ovechkin (25th). This is a fantastic stat that will undoubtedly provide more motivation to increase play in other areas as well to become an elite skater in the NHL.

Since the blockbuster trade prior to the 2017 draft that sent former first line center, Derek Stepan, to the Arizona Coyotes, Hayes’ role has drastically increased. He has stepped up majorly as the second line center. The Dorchester, Massachusetts native proved last year that he still has more potential since the promotion. Hayes will look to take advantage of a new system and more looks under new head coach, David Quinn.

Main Photo: DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 22: New York Rangers forward Kevin Hayes (13) skates with the puck against Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall, of Sweden, (55) during the second period of a regular season NHL hockey game between the New York Rangers and the Detroit Red Wings on January 22, 2017, at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)