After being bought out by the Boston Bruins earlier this offseason, Jimmy Hayes has signed a professional tryout with the New Jersey Devils and will attend camp with the team, according to Mark Divver of the Providence Journal. This doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll play this year for New Jersey, as PTOs are often used as showcases to other teams around the league.
Hayes was originally drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, but saw his rights dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks before he even left Boston College. He would debut for the Blackhawks eventually, but struggle to find a consistent place in the lineup and eventually be dealt to Florida. There he found success, scoring 19 goals in 2014-15 before being shipped to Boston in order for the Panthers to get their hands on Reilly Smith (who they’ve subsequently dealt to Vegas). The three-year contract he signed with the Bruins turned out to be a disaster, as Hayes scored just five points all of last season and clearly didn’t have a place on the NHL roster going forward.
In New Jersey, the 27-year old Hayes will be battling youngsters for a roster spot in the bottom six. Players like Miles Wood, Blake Speers and Micheal McLeod each have their eye on a role with the team this year, but don’t have the experience that Hayes would provide. If he can show that he’s a legitimate option for 10-12 minutes a night, perhaps the Devils will want to allow their younger players to develop in the minors (or junior) instead.
Easily one of the most under performing players of last year by FAR!