Quoting: arafay
I know saying vesa tore up the KHL is a stretch but my point is that the jets would rather give their 1st than vesalainen right now. And onto your point that top prospects are routinely traded- they are not. Dallas said not to trading heiskaninen for Erik karlsson. Now I am not saying that vesa is equal to heiskaninen but he will not be traded unless it’s for a long-term investment ( jets don’t have cap space for one) or another top prospect
Dallas is a poor example. First of all, they are not one of the upper echelon teams. They are a potential playoff team yes, but they really don't fit in with teams like WPG, NSH, TOR, TBL, WSH, etc. Secondly, if you look at Dallas' depth chart, they have a top RHD. They have not had good LHD in years. Why add Karlsson for one season when you are not a true contender, Karlsson wouldn't make them a true contender, and give up your franchise LHD prospect. Karlsson didn't make logistical sense for dallas.
If you look at WPGs team, they are stacked at wing but could use some bolstering down the center. Giving up a wing prospect wouldn't hurt them that badly as they already have Ehlers, Laine, Connor, etc at wing.
Hayes is having a career year on pace for minimally 65 points (as stated previously potential 75-80 points this year). These players are RARELY traded at the deadline and when they are, they get a tremendous haul (even as a rental). If there is a bidding war between two teams NYR may be able to get two first round picks for him (seeing as the market for 65+ point centers at the deadline is around that)
To put Hayes into perspective. Paul Stasny had 40 points in 63 games at the time of his trade, Hanzal had 26. Both of them went for more than a 1st round pick. Kevin Hayes has 27 points in 33 games (23 points in his last 21 after a slow start). In 63 games at his paces he will have 51 points (avg pace all season) or 59 if he keeps up his pace from the last 21 games. He plays in all situations (like the other players), has similar possession stats with 2/3 of his points as primary points (and has always had 70%+ in primary points throughout the years).
But we will see what happens. I think Hayes goes to either WPG, Carolina, or Colorado