Boston Bruins: Closer Look At Jimmy Hayes
The first day of the NHL free-agency introduced two new faces to the Boston Bruins: adding one high-profiled unrestricted free-agent and another via trade. For Jimmy Hayes, it was a dream come true jetting from Florida to Boston, the town he grew up in and the town where his hockey career began. The 25-year-old power forward arrived in Boston based on the notion that he’d bring grit and add to the two-way forward mantra coach Claude Julien approves. In spite of what he was brought here for, a closer look at Hayes argues his offensive game is progressing.
Nov 4, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Joe Morrow (45) knocks the helmet off of Florida Panthers right wing Jimmy Hayes (12) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Consider the possession stats. The NHL has become a possession-crazed game of speed and scoring, in any particular order. When it comes to Hayes, being a 6-foot-6, 221 pound winger means stabbing the puck away from opposing teams, not carrying it. A closer look at Hayes’ CF% renders him a progressing possession forward. During 5-on-5 play in 72 games last season, Hayes’ CF% was 51.2 with Florida. When considering Florida’s team CF% of 51.3, it proves Hayes is gradually becoming a possession player.
In the scoring department, Hayes reached a career-high 19 goals in the prior campaign. He averaged nearly a goal per 60 at 5-on-5 (.99 average). Of his 19 goals, 15 were even strength, while 4 were netted on the power play, as many as Patrice Bergeron last season on the man advantage. When tooling a power play, Hayes can help cause traffic down low in the crease with his evident size. He’ll be utilized on the penalty kill regardless, but the man advantage is an area of uncertainty with Julien at the helm.
Hayes’ shooting percentage has been another intriguing area of his game. In the 2013-14 season with the Panthers, Hayes’ shooting percentage was 15.5. This season the Boston College alumnus posted an 11.4. The Bruins’ overall team shooting average last season was 7.12, ranking sixth in the league. Hayes shot the puck 166 times last season. Steven Stamkos took 102 more shots than Hayes (268 shots, 16% shooting). Comparing Hayes to Stamkos is a clear case of comparing apples and oranges. Point being, Hayes is developing beyond his brass as a forward into a more well-rounded two-way forward, one that can be utilized offensively, too.
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Wrapping up his final year in Florida with 35 points, the right winger also capped off the year rather poorly in the plus/minus category. Hayes’ -4 rating may seem alarming at first glance, but on a team which was the ranked 16th in goals allowed (141), a figure as such is understandable.
The winger’s passing abilities were also showcased in the prior season. He averaged .53 assists per 60 at 5-on-5. With 16 total assists, it was a career high for Hayes compared to the 7 he posted in the 2013-14 season.
Time on ice is another judgemental stat in the league these days. It suggests whether a coach is running their bench properly. It determines who can be trusted and who can’t. It also can help conclude if a player is performing at their playing rate. Hayes was trusted in Florida, playing on the bottom six of the Panthers’ roster while also jumping up to the second line occasionally. Hayes’ ATOI was 15: 09 last season. Chris Kelly, fourth line center, posted a 15:08 at 34-years-old.
Another overlooked area of Hayes’ game was his playmaking last season. His goals created per game stat was .20, while Bergeron posted a .26. Both players don’t score many goals, with Bergeron netting only four more than Hayes with 23. Hayes is, however, adapting into a more well-rounded player such as Bergeron. He’s putting more effort into his offense and into his playmaking. He’s contributing to power plays, shooting the puck more, possessing the puck more, producing more, all while sticking to his power forward identity.
Hayes is subsequently in compliance with the cap. In his newly agreed upon 3-year contract with the Bruins, Hayes will be making $2 million this season, then $2.4 million in 2016-17, $2.5 million in 2017-18. The B’s hope this will be the year that determines whether Hayes will be worth the money. A $4k dollar raise from year one to year two with the organization will give Hayes something to chew on as he plays out his contract.
Overall, Hayes will only continue to grow as a complete player at 25-year-old, and luckily for the B’s, he’ll be doing it in Boston for the next three years.
Stats from this report were used by NHL.com, Hockey-Reference.com, and puckalytics.com