Rangers remain interested in signing Hayes long term

Kevin Hayes is entering the season with a one-year contract extension, but the surrounding uncertainty doesn't necessarily mean his days are winding down as a member of the New York Rangers.

Many pundits saw the short-term pact as an opportunity for the rebuilding Rangers to cash in on Hayes at next year's trade deadline, but that doesn't appear to be the mindset of management.

"It is a one-year deal, but like I've told Kevin, we'd like to have him long term," Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton told Larry Brooks of the New York Post. "He's said that he wants to be here, so let's have him come to camp in great shape, be a leader, have a big season, and let's go from there. Nothing is set in stone."

Hayes, who scored a career-high 25 goals last season, hasn't been shy about his desire to remain in Manhattan.

"I'm a Boston kid, but I absolutely love New York City and I would love to be there my entire career," Hayes said in August. "At the moment, (a one-year contract) was best for both sides. We couldn't really come to a long-term agreement and a one-year deal is what came out of it.

"I'm not treating it like I'll be out of there in February or at the end of the year. Everyone keeps saying UFA at the end of the year, but that had nothing to do with the decision."

Hayes, 26, will earn $5.175 million this season, per CapFriendly. He's eligible to sign a new deal with New York as of Jan. 1, 2019.