Bruins Sign Dorchester’s Jimmy Hayes to Three-Year Deal — Boston Magazine

“It’s always a heavy game when you’re playing against them, a team that always has a ton of size, power forwards as well”. But I don’t think I’m here to fill anyone’s spot. “I don’t score many goals from outside; I score my goals in tight, so I’m going to have to continue to work on that with my game”. I wanted to be a guy that was going to lead in situations. The contract for Connolly comes with a $1.025 million cap-hit, while Hayes will be on the B’s book at $2.3 million through the 2017-18 season. I think Don is going to be making his moves to put the team in his direction.

While Beleskey seemed like a good fit for Boston, the question was going to be could the cash-strapped Bruins afford him? Hayes was a restricted free agent.

“They’re known as the ‘Big Bad Bruins, ‘” said Hayes, acquired in a trade with the Panthers. But for every Bob Sweeney or John Carter who has thrived with the Bruins, there have been several like Hal Gill and Kevin Stevens who had more success elsewhere. Hayes has the size – 6-foot-6, 221 pounds – and he’s learning to use it to create offense, but he’s not a classic drop-the-gloves Bruins-type.

“This has been a dream come true for me to be able to come home to my hometown, my family and to be able to have this opportunity to win another championship for this city”, Hayes said during his introductory news conference Tuesday in the Bruins locker room at TD Garden.

“I think I got off to a good start, which helped, and coach Bruce Boudreau put me in good positions”, said Beleskey.

Beleskey had 35 goals over five seasons with the Ducks before breaking out with 22 in 2014-15. It took me a while.

The 25-year-old played 72 games in the 2014-15 season for the Florida Panthers, recording 19 goals and 16 assists.

“The Big Bad Bruins play that physical style, and they’ve always been a team that I’ve liked watching”. So I think it took me awhile. That was my fourth year pro. He’ll be expected to throw his weight around over 200 feet and get to the dirty areas for goals.

“I’ve probably played more games in this city than any other in my whole career”, said Hayes.

The Bruins acquired two large wings because they’re already set at center with Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, who are signed for the foreseeable future.

With Connolly, the one-year deal screams of the Bruins just wanting to know what they truly have in the ex- No. 6 overall pick. “That’s something I’m excited [about] because that’s the game that I play”.