Up until the Boston Bruins most recent win against the New York Rangers, Jimmy Hayes had not scored a single point in nine straight games. Whether his lack of production was a deciding factor or not, Hayes has been playing on the Bruins fourth line. While some may see this as an issue, I do not see a problem with it at all.
Puck Prose
With Frank Vatrano returning to the line up, someone, on the wing was going to have to be pushed down a spot. When compared to wingers Loui Eriksson, Brad Marchand, Brett Connolly and Matt Beleskey, Hayes is clearly the best candidate to take on the role of a fourth liner. He brings his size, physicality, energy and opportunistic plays, which is everything that a fourth liner is expected to posses.
The problem for some is that Jimmy Hayes has become a much more valuable and expensive player than any fourth liner should be. This argument can be countered by the fact that there are four Bruins who have fourth line salaries, Connolly, Vatrano, Ryan Spooner and Joonas Kemppainen, that are playing on higher lines than Hayes. This is nothing against Jimmy Hayes; it’s just the direction Claude Julien wants to take the team in at this time.
Oct 31, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston Bruins right wing Jimmy Hayes (11) controls the puck in the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Boston has always been at its best when they can play all four lines in any situation and be confident in the players they are sending out. Hayes playing with Landon Ferraro and Zac Rinaldo provides the Bruins with a very intimidating and, without sounding too bold, a reasonably offensively gifted fourth line. It should also be noted that Jimmy Hayes is still on Boston’s second power play unit as well, so he is definitely still getting valuable ice time when it comes to his overall on ice contribution.
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Jimmy Hayes got an assist against the Rangers yesterday and, if he starts to put a few more points up on the board, it may be time for the coaching staff to return him to the top nine. It could also be that another player in the top nine will begin to slow down offensively, or make too many crucial mistakes, and switch roles with Hayes then.
Whatever the reason, I have no doubt that Jimmy Hayes will return to the top nine, sooner rather than later. However, I really wouldn’t mind it if he stayed on the fourth line for just a little bit longer either.
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