Getting to know a Ranger: Kevin Hayes

Name: Kevin Hayes

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 225 lbs

Born: May 8th, 1992 (22 years old)

Drafted: CHI 1st Round 2010, 24th Overall (never signed with Blackhawks, signed with NYR on August 20th, 2014.)

2014-15 stat line: 79 games played, 17 goals, 28 assists, 22 penalty minutes

2013-14 playoff stat line: N/A

2014-15 stats vs Penguins: 4 GP, 1G, 1A, 2 PIMs

2014-15 5v5 Advanced Stats: 50.97 CF%, +1.9% Corsi Relative, 102.34 PDO

Player detail (via The Hockey News Player Page)

2014-15 New York Rangers player usage, via War on Ice

HERO Chart (via Domenic Galamini): HERO Chart unavailable for Kevin Hayes

Analysis: Hayes sees average competition along with Carl Hagelin and J.T. Miller and succeed fairly well in terms of possession while doing so. Sigh, how nice it would be to have such young forwards producing at these levels while being so cheap.

Most common linemates: As of late, he has been paired with Carl Hagelin and Martin St. Louis. A big, physical frame centering two fast and skilled players can never be a bad thing.

Why you should know who he is: He made a splash in the news this past summer when Chicago was unable to sign him. Things turned into a bidding war, per se, for his services. There were several teams in the mix trying to sign him, including the Penguins, before he ultimately decided to sign with the Rangers. A playoff run for the Rangers could put him on the map even more as a dominant power forward.

How the Pens can stop him: Good luck. Nearly a 20-goal scorer, with an enormous 6'5" frame. Almost a perfect Brian Boyle replacement for the Rangers, but a better scorer, in my opinion. Paired with Hagelin and St. Louis, he can play a 2nd line center scoring role, with a lot of attributes of a 3rd line checking center. If the Penguins match the Rangers 2nd line with their 3rd line centered by Sutter, it will be a problem. Let's hope the Malkin line can handle this matchup.