Over the weekend the Rangers signed 24-year old defenseman Brady Skjei to a six-year deal worth $5.25 million per season.

On Monday the Rangers signed 26-year old Kevin Hayes to a one-year deal worth $5.125 million.

On Tuesday, the Rangers came to terms with Ryan Spooner, 26, on a two-year deal that has a cap hit of $4 million per season.

7/29/18 | Rick Carpiniello, of The Athletic, confirms that there is a "significant gap in contract talks and that if Hayes signs a one-year deal it's likely he will be traded before being a UFA next summer.

7/28/19 | According to Larry Brooks, Kevin Hayes is likely to sign a one-year deal with the Rangers that would allow him to be a UFA next summer. (NY Post)

He writes that there has been "little traction" in talks for a long-term deal and that Hayes is believed to be seeking a deal between $5.5 million and $6 million for five or six-years. (NY Post)

Larry Brooks writes that with how the market has developed, if Kevin Hayes is able to become a UFA next summer he would likely command a contract of around five-years and $30 million. (NY Post)

Brooks writes that the Rangers and Jeff Gorton will have to make a decision on whether to sign him to a similar deal now or move him in a trade. (NY Post)

He writes that arbitration, and a one-year deal that would allow Hayes to walk directly into free agency "is not an option." (NY Post)

Jeff Gorton said on Saturday that he has had "lengthy" discussions with four of the Rangers five arbitration eligible RFAs.

The players he has spoken with include Jimmy Vesey, Brady Skjei, Vlad Namestnikov and Kevin Hayes.

Gorton said that he intends to speak with Ryan Spooner's agents this week.

6/17/18 | Larry Brooks writes that Kevin Hayes is generating "significant interest" around the league. (NY Post)

Brooks notes that the Rangers could have a glut at center and that if Hayes were to be moved it would likely be as the "centerpiece" of a deal to acquire a defenseman. (NY Post)

He wrote that it's unlikely the Rangers would move Hayes in an effort to move up in the draft. (NY Post)

In his column on Sunday, Larry Brooks wrote that he would only trade Kevin Hayes or Mika Zibanejad if the Rangers could land a "legit" top-four right shot defenseman. (NY Post)

He notes that Jacob Trouba of the Jets is probably out of reach but that Calgary, with their "surplus" of right shot defensemen and need for a center could be a match. (NY Post)

Brooks suggests Dougie Hamilton as someone who might be "obtainable" but also wonders about 2016 third round pick Adam Fox. (NY Post)

4/12/18 | Larry Brooks noted back in March that Kevin Hayes, Vlad Namestnikov and Ryan Spooner are all arbitration eligible RFAs closing in on being unrestricted free agents. (NY Post)

Hayes and Spooner can become UFA following this season while Namestnikov, along with Jimmy Vesey, can become UFA after the 19-20 season.  (NY Post)

Brooks says that it's "extremely unlikely" that the Rangers bring back all three of them though he does note that Namestnikov and Spooner have seen a lot of time on the wing. (NY Post)

Kevin Hayes said earlier this season that while he admits to being a "pass-first type of player," he would love to shoot and score more because "goal-scorers get paid in this league." (NY Post)

He is an RFA after the season.

Hayes said that there have been times when he comes to the bench shaking his head because he knows he should have shot the puck instead of passed. (NY Post)

Kevin Hayes scored his 20th goal of the season on Saturday in Florida and has five goals and two assists in the past seven games.

From the Rangers Game Notes, Hayes:

• "has notched a point in 11 of the last 15 games, and he has recorded 15 points (nine goals, six assists) over the span."
• "Hayes has also registered 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in 20 games since returning to the Rangers' lineup on Jan. 25, and he leads the Blueshirts in goals and points over the span."

Hayes said recently that he loves being a Ranger and wants to spend his whole career here. (NY Post)

Rick Nash and Mika Zibanejad posted two third-period goals for the Rangers to defeat the Flames, 4-3, to snap their four-game losing streak. >> Box score

First period:

• 7:53 NYR Kevin Hayes (Power Play); Assists: Tony DeAngelo, David Deshamais
• 18:15 CAL Brett Kulak; Assists: Michael Ferland, Johnny Gaudreau

Second Period

Kevin Hayes returned to the lineup after missing 6 games and picked up a goal, an assist and a plus three rating.

Hayes skated with JT Miller and Mats Zuccarello and scored the opening goal and assisted on Ryan McDonagh's first goal of the season.

He played 17:20, had 4 shots on goal, 2 shot that missed the net, 3 faceoff wins and 4 faceoff losses.

Ryan McDonagh scored two of New York's six goals as the Rangers outlasted the Sharks, 6-5, on Thursday night in San Jose. >> Box score

First period:

• 5:45 NYR Kevin Hayes; Assists: J.T. Miller, Mats Zuccarello
• 6:45 SJS Barclay Goodrow; Assists: Brent Burns
• 10:56 SJS Logan Couture; Assists: Kevin Labanc, Joakim Ryan
• 17:53 NYR Jesper Fast; Assists: Michael Grabner, Peter Holland

Second period:

• 2:36 SJS Logan Couture; Assists: Kevin Labanc, Marc-Edouard Vlasic
• 11:04 NYR Ryan McDonagh; Assists: Kevin Hayes, J.T. Miller
• 12:16 NYR Ryan McDonagh (Power Play); Assists: Pavel Buchnevich
• 17:09 NYR Brady Skjei (Short Handed)

Third period:

• 10:51 SJS Marc-Edouard Vlasic; Assists: Justin Braun, Chris Tierney
• 18:10 NYR J.T. Miller; Assists: Mats Zuccarello, Brady Skjei
• 19:10 SJS Tomas Hertl; Assists: Kevin Labanc, Brent Burns

6:09PM: Alain Vigneault said on Thursday:

• On Kevin Hayes, "he is a game time decision. This is the best that he has felt, we will talk with Rammer and the doctors and see how he feels coming back tonight and make it a game time decision."
• Is there urgency to get Hayes back, "he will play tonight if he can play. If he can't play and there is a chance that this goes sideways then we won't play him. At the end of the day, if he feels that he is good to go, he definitely helps our team and will play."

3:54PM: Alain Vigneault said that Kevin Hayes will be a game time decision for tonight's game in San Jose. (NYR)

Hayes spoke with the media after today's morning skate and said:

• Status for tonight, "still have to talk to a couple of people and we will make a decision from there."
• On how he is feeling, "much better, this is the best I have felt since that Vegas trip."
• Are you ready to go, "yea."
• Does the urgency of where the team is make an impact, "not too much. We are in a little rut right now but as an athlete, you don't want to put yourself at risk at anytime. When you feel you are ready to play you go back and play."
• "That is the biggest question. You play when you feel you won't be limited. I felt pretty good out there today. I'll be talking to people pretty soon and have a decision soon."
• What has been the most difficult, "it sucks not playing, you want to play all 82 games. You want to be part of a team, but we thought we could do some stuff for that second game back from Vegas and it just didn't go well. You never want to be watching from above when you think you can help that team and hopefully I will get that chance."
• Do you regret playing that game, "no."
• Are you a game time decision, "I think I'll know before game time./"

6:24PM: Following the game in Colorado, Alain Vigneault said the following about the status of Hayes & Staal for tomorrow, "I would say that both Kevin and Marc are, at best, 50/50 for tomorrow. Grabs, I have no idea right now." (MSG)

10:14AM- Alain Vigneault said on Friday that both Kevin Hayes and Marc Staal are out for today's game against Colorado but they are 50/50 for tomorrow night in LA.

Vigneault said that Hayes and Staal are expected to skate prior to today's game and tomorrow's game and then decisions on their status will be made.

Hayes will miss his fourth straight game today while Staal will miss his second.

1/18/18 | 6:32PM: On Hayes, Alain Vigneault said that the Rangers will see how he responds after skating today before determining if they want to call someone up before heading out west.

Vigneault said that if Hayes can practice tomorrow he will be able to play on Saturday but that if he is doubtful then they will likely call someone up.

He said that in hindsight maybe Hayes shouldn't have played last Saturday against the Islanders but at that time he was feeling good and was cleared by the doctors to play.

5:35PM: Hayes skated this morning and would need to practice tomorrow to be able to play this weekend in Colorado or LA. (NYR)

2:21PM: On Hayes, Alain Vigneault said today:

• On Kevin Hayes, "he felt fine last night before the game and during the game he felt pain come back and after he just wasn't feeling well. We decided to keep him home, treat him and we will see how he is doing tomorrow."
• "I would say that it's a lot better than it was then when the original injury occurred but not good enough to play."

11:39AM: Kevin Hayes will not play tonight against the Penguins because of a contusion. (NYR)

Hayes was 50/50 to play in yesterday's game, scored, was a minus one and played 16:53.

1:03AM: Kevin Hayes has a lower body injury and will be re-evaluated tomorrow when the team is back in New York. (MSG)

Hayes played 2:44 in the first, with 10 minutes between his final two shifts and his last shift in the first period ending with 2:37 left.

He took a big hit from Nate Schmidt at 5:22 of the first period, played one more shift, went to the locker room and returned for one last, 19 second, shift in the first.

Prior to the second period, the team announced that he was being evaluated and Hayes return to play one 17-second shift early in the second before missing the rest of the game.

Rick Nash secured the late lead for the Rangers as they beat the Kings, 4-2, at Madison Square Garden >> Read More

First period: 

• 10:23 NYR Chris Kreider (Power Play); Assists: Kevin Shattenkirk, David Desharnais

Second period: 

• 3:46 LA Marian Gaborik; Assists: Jussi Jokinen
• 14:43 NYR Kevin Hayes; Assists: Ryan McDonagh, Michael Grabner

Third period:

• 7:59 LA Torrey Mitchell; Assists: Marian Gaborik, Jussi Jokinen
• 16:33 NYR Rick Nash; Assists: Mats Zuccarello, Jimmy Vesey

Kevin Hayes has 5 goals and 4 assists through 21 games this season after putting up 9 goals and 9 assists in his first 21 games last season.

Hayes is averaging 16:35 per game so far this season compared to the 16:17 he averaged in the first 21 games last year.

Alain Vigneault said that Hayes has been adapting to his role going up against top lines.

Kevin Hayes has 5 goals and 4 assists through 21 games this season after putting up 9 goals and 9 assists in his first 21 games last season.

Hayes is averaging 16:35 per game so far this season compared to the 16:17 he averaged in the first 21 games last year.

Alain Vigneault said that Hayes has been adapting to his role going up against top lines.

The Rangers scored once in the second period and twice in the third en route to a 3-0 win over the Ottawa Senators on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. >> Read more

First period:

• N/A

Second period:

• 4:46 NYR Kevin Hayes; Assists: Jesper Fast, Jimmy Vesey

Third period:

• 4:52 NYR Michael Grabner; Assists: Marc Staal, Mats Zuccarello
• 17:31 NYR Mika Zibanejad (ENG); Assists: Zuccarello, Chris Kreider

The Blackhawks scored four unanswered goals -- including the first three of the first period -- to chase Henrik Lundqvist and end the Rangers' six-game winning streak, 6-3, on Wednesday night in Chicago.  >> Box score

First period:

• 9:58 NYR Mika Zibanejad; Assists: Chris Kreider, Pavel Buchnevich

Second period:

• 19:08 CHI Alex DeBrincat; Assists: Richard Panik, Duncan Keith

Third period:

• 1:07 CHI Artem Anisimov; Assists: Patrick Kane, Nick Schmaltz
• 1:53 CHI John Hayden; Assists: Cody Franson, Keith
• 5:14 CHI Anisimov (PP); Assists: Franson, Schmaltz
• 7:08 NYR Kevin Hayes; Assists: Mats Zuccarello, Rick Nash
• 11:56 NYR Nash
• 16:12 CHI Anisimov; Assists: Schmaltz, Panik
• 18:30 CHI Jonathan Toews (ENG); Assists: Brent Seabrook

11/4/17 | 8:46AM: Hayes joked that the ice was "dry" and squirted the water because of that. He added that there were some words and that things like that happen all the time. (NY Post)

11/3/17 | The NHL's Department of Player Safety has announced that the following fines for unsportsmanlike conduct:

• Kevin Hayes: $5,000
• Steven Stamkos: $5,000
• Alex Killorn: $5,000

Hayes is possibly the member of the Rangers that sprayed water on Kilorn, leading to Kilorn swinging his stick at the Rangers bench.

All three of Jimmy Vesey, Kevin Hayes and Jesper Fast scored for the Rangers on Saturday against the Predators.

From the Rangers Game Preview for tonight's game against San Jose, "over the last two contests, each of the three players has posted a plus-four rating or better (Hayes - plus-five; Vesey - plus-four; Fast - plus-four), and each player has also registered at least two points (Hayes - two goals, one assist; Vesey - one goal, one assist; Fast - one goal, one assist)."

Alain Vigneault said last week that the trio is a "hard working line" where Fast and Vesey get in on the forecheck and create turnovers and that Hayes complements them well.

Kevin Hayes has three goals and 2 assists this season with 16 shots on goal and an average of 16:34 per game.

Alain Vigneault said recently that Hayes has room for improvement at both ends and that he is being counted on to be a 200ft player.

He added that Hayes is learning and that "we are showing faith in him and I am very confident that the faith hand trust we are showing in him will pay off."

Kevin Hayes was named the number one star and awarded the Broadway Hat after today's win over Nashville.

Hayes spoke after the game on MSG and said:

• On his line, "the last few games we have been good, we try to keep it simple in the D zone and don't cheat. If we play good D we can generate some offense and tonight I thought we did that."
• On Vesey and Fast, "those two guys, you know what you are going to get. They are honest players, work hard and don't mind hitting guys. When they are getting on the D like that it generates a lot of open space and tonight we could have buried a lot more chances, we had good possession in the offensive zone."
• On his goal, "I got some speed and their D was standing flat footed, it's not often that I beat guys wide but tonight it happened and luckily it went in."
• On the win, "it's big. We have been struggling and to play 60 minutes and get two points in front of our fans, hopefully it's a spring board to a lot of other things."

9/22/17| On the first day of training camp, Alain Vigneault said that the organization has a "tremendous amount of faith" in Mika Zibanejad and Kevin Hayes.

He added "we believe they can get it done and at the end of the day they have to."

Jeff Gorton said early in training camp that both players want bigger roles and that moves the team made have opened up opportunities.

8/30/17 | Just before the playoffs last spring, Kevin Hayes wrote an essay for The Players Tribune and talked about the times during his second season where he was a healthy scratch. (Players Tribune)

Hayes said that he didn't do enough to prepare after his rookie season and that being a scratch after struggling was "embarrassing." (Players Tribune)

He added that he was "ashamed" at being a healthy scratch for Games 4 & 5 against the Penguins that season and "vowed" to himself and to the organization that he would never let them down again. (Players Tribune)

Following the Rangers trade of Derek Stepan to Arizona, Larry Brooks wrote that there is no one with more pressure to "step up" their game than Kevin Hayes. (NY Post)

Alain Vigneault said recently that the Rangers feel that Hayes, along with Mika Zibanejad, both have more to give. (NY Post)

He said that both of them are "young players who have great upside. This is going to be a great opportunity for them to take on bigger roles and have more responsibility."(NY Post)

In the first three seasons of Kevin Hayes' career, his offensive zone start percentage at 5 on 5 was:

• 2014-15: 60.9% offensive zone, 39.1% defensive zone (69.6% O Zone, 30.4% D Zone Playoffs)
• 2015-16: 61.7% offensive zone, 38.3% defensive zone
• 2016-17: 40.7% offensive zone, 59.3% defensive zone (43% O Zone, 56.8% D Zone Playoffs)

Alain Vigneault said in February that Kevin Hayes is "rounding out as a player" and starting to better understand the game at both ends of the rink.

Larry Brooks noted that even with the change in how Hayes was deployed this year, his production increased. (NYR)

Larry Brooks wrote, when the season ended, that the Rangers need more consistency from Kevin Hayes moving forward. (NY Post)

Brooks wrote that Hayes has not been "forceful enough" in using his size, reach and puck skills in getting to the net. (NY Post)

He did note that Hayes adapted well to being put in different positions by Alain Vigneault, including more time in the defensive zone. (NY Post)

Alain Vigneault said in February that Kevin Hayes is "rounding out as a player" and starting to better understand the game at both ends of the rink.

While writing about the center position and potential moves this offseason, Larry Brooks writes that the Rangers could try and use Derek Stepan to land a top-pair right defenseman. (NY Post)

Moving Stepan would also allow the Rangers to give Oscar Lindberg a bigger role at center as well as protect him in the expansion draft. (NY Post)

Brooks notes that potentially moving Kevin Hayes, as opposed to Stepan, likely wouldn't bring "close to the yield" that the Rangers could get for Stepan. (NY Post)

He writes that Lindberg has been under-utilized so far in his time with the Rangers and that it would be a "shame" to lose him in the expansion draft because of limited ice time. (NY Post)

Team USA has been eliminated at the World Championships after losing to Finland 2-0.

Hayes had 1 shot on goal, 3-4 on faceoffs, was a minus one and played 16:12 (4:37, 5:20, 6:15).

Hayes was called for two penalties in the third period, "playing without a helmet" and "slashing."

Team USA defeated Russia today 5-3 in the World Championships.

Kevin Hayes had two goals, 3 shots on goal, a plus one rating, 2 and 6 on faceoffs and played 18:36 (6:41 in the first, 6:09 in the second and 5:46 in the third).

Brady Skjei played 15:13 (4:56 in the first, 5:52 in the second and 4:25 in the third) and was on the ice for a goal for and a a goal against.

In two teams for Team USA, Hayes has two goals, two assists and 6 shots on goal.

5:53PM: USA coach Jeff Blashill said of Hayes and Skjei, "that is the first time that I have ever been around Brady, he's a heck of a defenseman. They are two good pieces and we already had a good core here but they are two good pieces."

Hayes said "it was my first game, I was just trying to get acquainted out there."

Anders Lee of the Islanders said that "Hayzer and Brady stepped in and played a couple of great games."

Kevin Hayes and Brady Skjei have arrived at the World Championships in Germany and spoke about joining Team USA.

Hayes said, "when I got asked to come I was really excited and started following the team. They lost their first game and have rattled off four straight. It's a great young group and we have a chance to do something so I am pretty excited about it."

On his role, "this year I was a bit of a PK guy so I think I will be on the PK here. Not really sure where I will be playing in the lineup, I will talk to coach and figure it out and I will bring hard work."

Skjei said, "really excited to be here. It's a good young team, lots of speed and skill and they are on a roll right now. Just trying to join and help anyway that I can."

Kevin Hayes says that he is happy with his game is right now and that he has taken on a bit more of a defensive role in the playoffs. (NY Post)

In 10 games, Hayes has 2 assists, 4 PIM, 17 shots on goal, 36 shot attempts, 52% on faceoffs, 15 hits, 6 blocks, 6 takeaways and 23 giveaways.

Hayes said that he wants to create chances offensively but that defensively his game is where he wants it to be. (NY Post)

Ryan McDonagh scored twice to lead the New York Rangers to a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday at Joe Louis Arena. >> Read more

First period:

• 19:33 NYR Ryan McDonagh (short handed); Assists: Kevin Hayes, Michael Grabner

Second period:

• 5:35 DET Frans Nielsen (power play); Assists: Gustav Nyquist, Justin Abdelkader
• 16:50 NYR McDonagh; Assists: Marc Staal, Pavel Buchnevich
• 17:27 NYR Hayes; Assists: J.T. Miller, Grabner

Third period:

• 16:01 NYR Derek Stepan (power play); Assist: Chris Kreider

The Rangers look to snap a two-game losing streak as they face off with the Boston Bruins from TD Garden on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.

• The Rangers lost to the Capitals, 4-1, on Tuesday in New York, their second straight loss following a 9-1-1 span. After outscoring their opponents by nine goals over that 11-game span, the Rangers' back-to-back losses have been by a combined 9-3.
• The Bruins beat the Coyotes, 4-1, in Boston on Tuesday, improving to 7-1-0 since firing Claude Julien as head coach. They've nearly doubled their opponents' goal total in those games, scoring 33 goals while allowing just 17.

Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves and Mats Zuccarello and Mika Zibanejad tallied shootout goals as the Rangers defeated the Maple Leafs, 2-1, on Thursday night at the Air Canada Centre. >> Read more

First period:

• 10:56 TOR Connor Brown; Assists: Tyler Bozak, Jake Gardiner

Third period:

• 10:50 NYR J.T. Miller; Assists: Kevin Hayes, Brandon Pirri

Shootout:

• William Nylander: STOPPED
• Mats Zuccarello: SCORED
• Auston Matthews: SCORED
• Mika Zibanejad: SCORED
• Nazem Kadri: STOPPED

In the four games since returning from a lower body injury, Kevin Hayes has 2 goals, 5 assists , a plus 5 rating, 9 shots on goal and an average of 17:35.

In 51 games this season Hayes has 15 goals and 27 assists.

Jimmy Vesey's go-ahead goal midway through the third period propelled the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday at Nationwide Arena. >> Read more

First period:

• 8:12 COL Brandon Dubinsky; Assists: Brandon Saad, Seth Jones

Second period:

• 0:12 NYR Dan Girardi (short handed); Assists: Kevin Hayes, J.T. Miller

Third period:

• 4:49 NYR Hayes; Unassisted
• 11:53 COL Nick Foligno; Assist: David Savard
• 13:28 NYR Jimmy Vesey; Assists: Derek Stepan, Nick Holden  

The JT Miller, Kevin Hayes and Michael Grabner line had six points (3 goals and 3 assists) in the Rangers win over Nashville.

Hayes said that the three complement each other and that he likes to pass the puck while Miller and Grabner like to score. (MSG)

Miller said that as soon as he crosses the blue line he tries to put himself into a shooting position because he knows there is a "good chance" of Hayes feeding him the puck. (Rangers Game Notes)

The Rangers rallied from a 2-0 deficit with four unanswered goals en route to a 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators Thursday at Madison Square Garden. >> Read more

First period:

• 1:23 NSH Cody McLeod; Assists: P.K. Subban, Austin Watson

Second period:

• 3:50 NSH Calle Jarnkrok (power play); Assists: Mike Fisher, Subban
• 8:12 NYR Michael Grabner; Kevin Hayes
• 14:58 NYR J.T. Miller; Assists: Hayes

Third period:

• 5:36 NYR Chris Kreider; Assists: Mats Zuccarello, Mika Zibanejad
• 16:00 NYR Miller; Assists: Ryan McDonagh, Hayes
• 17:59 NSH Roman Jose (power play); Assists: Ryan Johansen, Ryan Ellis

In his return to the lineup on Tuesday, Kevin Hayes played 16:35, was given a delay of game penalty, 2 shots on goal and 2 shots that were blocked.

Hayes had an assist, 1 giveaway, 1 takeaway and was 3 and 5 on faceoffs.

He played 5:16 in the first period, 6:04 in the second period and 5:15 in the third period with 13:55 coming at even strength and 2:40 killing penalties.

Hayes had the secondary assist on Michael Grabner's empty net goal in the third period.

Kevin Hayes is slated to return to the Rangers lineup Tuesday night against the Ducks after missing the last five games with a lower body injury.

Hayes had two goals and five assists in the previous seven games before getting hurt.

2/6/17 | 2:52PM: Hayes spoke with the media earlier today and said that he is feeling good and ready to play. (NYR)

1:25PM: Hayes will likely return to the Rangers lineup tomorrow against the Ducks. (NYR)

2/5/16 | 5:14PM: Alain Vigneault spoke after today's game about Kevin Hayes and said that he skated this morning, will practice tomorrow and is 50/50 for Tuesday. (MSG)

2/4/17 | 2:57PM: Alain Vigneault said on Saturday that Hayes, "skated this morning, I don't know if you noticed, at the beginning of practice, he was on the ice 45 minutes with our skill coach before and stayed for the first part. I would say that he is very, very close to coming back. Obviously not tomorrow but is very close..... I think he would like to play tomorrow, but he's not." (NYR)

Kevin Hayes scored twice against the Flyers last night with his first goal being his first in 13 games.

Prior to last night, Hayes had scored thrice in 23 games dating back to before Thanksgiving.

Hayes has points in 4 of the past 5 games with 2 goals and 5 assists in that stretch.

Against the Flyers, Hayes was a plus 3, had 3 shots on goal, 1 shot attempt that was blocked, 1 giveaway and was 3 and 11 on faceoffs in 15:56.