With the Ottawa Senators having already dealt forwards Ryan Dzingel and Matt Duchene, former teammate Mark Stone remains one of the top targets on the NHL trade market ahead of Monday’s deadline.
However, New York Rangers centre Kevin Hayes might entice the likes of the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators if they’re looking for a more affordable upgrade at the forward position.
“If you don’t get Stone, I think [Hayes] is Plan B for a lot of hockey clubs, including the Winnipeg Jets,” Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported Saturday during the ‘Headlines’ segment on Hockey Night in Canada. “It wouldn’t nearly be the cost of a Stone and certainly the thought of Hayes coming in and playing in the second centre-ice position and moving [Bryan] Little off to the wing is certainly appeasing to them.”
Having just traded Mats Zuccarello to the Dallas Stars on Saturday, it appears that the Rangers are open for business.
Hayes, 26, has recorded 14 goals and 28 assists in 51 games with the Rangers this season.
[relatedlinks]