You're comparing apples and oranges with the bolded.
I like Zucc a little more than Hayes but I don't know how anyone can say he's a much better player. Zuccarello's career high is 61 points and Hayes just had 55 points in 71 games last season. Of course Zucc is more proven but he's also 5 years older and leaving his prime while Hayes is just entering his so that's not surprising. Would I rather have a 55ish point Center signed from 27 to 33 years old or a 60ish point winger signed from 32 to 36 years old? I'll go with the younger center every time.
he would need to have a career high in points by a significant margin in order for his contract to not look like crap
A couple of games into the first pre-season of a 7 year contract seems like an odd time to do this. But congrats!
One is a UFA and the other is not. Let that sink in.
For the record, forwards historically peak in their early 20's, so he isn't really "just entering his prime".
I think Hayes is a solid player.
Except he doesn't have a his qualifying year at 9 million....
Yup. And he didn't sign a six year deal. He signed a three year deal with a 9 million dollar qualifying offer. Good for him. He'll get 13 from Tampa to even It out at that point.
99% of players getting paid more than Point aren't as good, let that sink in.
