I love people pretending Hayes was the only option and that the only option was to give him a bad contract.
There's always other options. And even if there somehow wasn't, it's better to do absolutely nothing than screw the team over and cause future problems, which is exactly what's happening right now thanks to that NMC and cap hit.
This is really simple shit.
In other words, I know there were no other options, I would have bitched like crazy had they not made the move and missed the playoffs, now I reserve my right to bitch like crazy b/c they made the move.
Hayes wasn't my first choice, but it was the market rate, and it was signed before COVID and the flat cap, can't blame Fletcher for that.
He's pretty much as advertised, I expect a better season from a healthy Hayes, because they know who works with him and who doesn't.
JVR/Laughton/Farabee - Hayes - Allison/Farabee
that leaves
Lindblom/Laughton - Frost - Patrick/Allison as your 3rd line
Cates/Laughton - Laczynski - NAK/Patrick as your 4th line
Even if you lose/trade Voracek, that's 11 forwards for 9 spots.
PK:
Laughton - Couts
Farabee - Hayes
Lindblom - NAK