GREENBURGH, N.Y. - Kevin Hayes put on his dark blue jersey Sunday and practiced with the Rangers on their first day back from vacation.
He said he’s “pretty sure” that he will play Tuesday night against Philadelphia at the Garden after missing the last nine games before the bye-week/All-Star break with an upper-body injury. The 26-year-old center also sounded completely sure that he wants to stay beyond the Feb. 25 trade deadline and for years to come.
“I love it here,” Hayes said.
Hayes signed a one-year, $5.175 million contract last summer, so he can become a free agent.