Hayes recorded a shorthanded goal in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

Hayes' second career shortie must've felt extra special given that he did the damage against his hometown team. In fact, two of the five goals scored by the 24-year-old so far have come at the expense of the Bruins. The Rangers currently run the league's most dangerous attack, and Hayes is certainly doing his part with 11 points and a plus-11 rating through a dozen contests.

Hayes contributed a goal and two assists in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Oilers.

EDGE Analysis

Hayes' offseason workout regimen has paid off, as the third-year forward has clearly overcome his sophomore slump. He had one point in each period, scoring in the first before assisting on a Michael Grabner tally in the second and J.T. Miller's empty-netter to seal it. That gives him two goals and five assists on his current three-game point streak.

Hayes dished out three helpers in a 7-1 rout of the Lightning on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Hayes also skated to a whopping plus-4 in the contest, showing just how dominant the Blueshirts were at even strength in this one. The mini outburst gives Hayes six points in nine games this season, which is a healthy way to start the year as he looks to get back to the form that helped him to 45 points as a rookie in 2014-15.

Hayes is regaining the trust of Rangers coach Alain Vigneault in the early going this season, the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

After falling into the coach's doghouse for periods of time last season, Hayes reported to camp this fall in the best shape of his NHL career, Vigneault has used him in more situations accordingly -- including deploying him as a penalty killer and in other defensive situations. Hayes has responded to his nearly two-minute increase in ice time (15:37 this year) with strong play in all zones, though his offensive output hasn't improved much yet. Still, it's early, and Hayes' improved performance should continue earning him strong minutes even though he technically plays on the third line.

Hayes scored his first goal of the year in Monday's 7-4 win over the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

Hayes was the recipient of a beautiful pass by Jesper Fast that he promptly converted into a key insurance goal for the Rangers, giving them a 4-2 lead and opening the flurry of scoring that took place over the game's final eight minutes. This was arguably the third-year pivot's finest game of the year -- his skating and defense were particularly strong, and he did strong work both offensively and at the faceoff dot. Consistency will be key moving forward, as Hayes has tended to disappear at times, but he was quite visible in this game.

Hayes has only one shot on goal (and one assist) through the Rangers' first two games of the season.

EDGE Analysis

Both Blueshirts fans and fantasy owners are looking for more activity on offense from Hayes, and they haven't gotten it yet. The fact that he has only a single shot on net over more than 30 minutes of time on the ice thus far isn't very promising, nor is his nearly nonexistent power-play time. Hayes is rich in raw talent, but we still haven't seen the 24-year-old put it all together yet, and it doesn't help that he's stuck on the Rangers' third line.

Hayes avoided arbitration by finalizing a two-year deal with New York on Friday worth $2.6 million annually, Steve Zipay of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hayes spot in the depth chart for the 2016-17 is somewhat up in the air given the addition of Mike Zibanejad. The pair of centers could be competing for a spot on the second line behind Derek Stepan for much of the upcoming season. The uncertainty regarding ice time, fantasy owners may want to be cautious with the 24-year-old, despite his 14 goals and 22 assists last year.

Hayes officially filed for arbitration on Tuesday, Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hayes and the Rangers have come to an impasse in contract negotiations, so he's decided to file for arbitration. A neutral third party is scheduled to listen to each side state their case at a hearing near the end of July, however, the two sides could still very well get a deal done prior to it. The 24-year-old is coming off a campaign where he recorded 14 goals and 22 assists and considering his upside, the Rangers would like to eventually come to a mutually beneficial deal.

Hayes received a qualifying offer from the Rangers on Monday, Andrew Gross of The Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rangers will now be able to match any offer Hayes receives on the open market if he decides not to sign the qualifying offer, which comes as no surprise considering previous comments made by coach Alain Vigneault regarding the desire to keep him within the organization. At just 23 years old and heading into his third season, Hayes is still young and has a ton of upside after notching 14 goals and 22 assists over 79 games during his 2015-16 campaign.

Hayes, a pending restricted free agent, is certainly in the Rangers' future plans, per Rangers coach Alain Vigneault, Andrew Gross of The Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hayes wasn't much of a factor in the first-round playoff series against the Penguins, having been held off the scoresheet and watching from the press box in Games 4 and 5. Still, with 14 goals and 22 assists, he was the team's second-leading point getter among right wings during the regular season. Hayes has tremendous upside as a former first-round pick, plus he's big and versatile, which only helps his chances for consistent playing time in the coming years. Keep this guy in mind for fantasy drafts ahead of the 2016-17 campaign.