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Kevin Hayes News
Hayes (upper-body) will return to the Rangers lineup on Tuesday.

Hayes has missed the last nine games with an upper-body injury but will replace Mats Zuccarello, who is sidelined with a foot infection. Hayes has had a solid campaign, scoring 10 goals with 23 assists (33 points) in 39 games and will skate on the second-line with Jimmy Vesey and Vladislav Namestnikov.

Kevin Hayes
Hayes (lower-body) left Sunday’s game and is questionable for Monday’s game.

Hayes left Sunday’s game after playing just 8:41 TOI and did not return. Hayes was seen walking stiffly with a brace on his left leg after the game, which isn’t a good sign for his availability for Monday’s game. Hayes will be evaluated on Monday, so expect an update later today.

Kevin Hayes
The Rangers signed Kevin Hayes to a two-year deal worth $5.2 million ($2.6M AAV).

Hayes, 24, had an excellent rookie season and was among the breakout candidates heading into 2015-16, but he struggled for the majority of the year. He scored 14 goals with 22 assists, falling short of his 17-goal, 28-assist rookie campaign. Heading into 2016-17, Hayes remains an intriguing sleeper option given his great size and skill, but he will need to find a way to break into the Rangers’ top-6 if he’s going to have huge impact.

Kevin Hayes
Hayes (healthy scratch) will be back in the Rangers lineup on Tuesday.

Hayes was a healthy scratch for the last two games, but will get back into the lineup on Tuesday. Alain Vigneault has not been impressed with the 23-year-olds game lately so he sat him for a couple of nights. The second-year forward had 45 points (17G / 28A) last year, but has just 17 points (6G / 11A) in 37 games this season—on pace for 37 points (13G / 24A). Maybe this time off will wake Hayes’ offensive game up and he can become fantasy relevant again.

Kevin Hayes