Report: Panthers, Hayes likely headed to arbitration hearing

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Forward Jimmy Hayes remains the Florida Panthers' lone restricted free agent, and according to Harvey Fialkov of the Sun Sentinel, the two sides are expected to settle at an arbitration hearing on July 29 after failing to reach an agreement thus far.

Hayes, 24, appeared in 53 games for the Panthers in 2013-14 after being acquired via trade from the Chicago Blackhawks. As Fialkov notes, Hayes was generally deployed on the team's fourth line, but "was most effective when former interim coach Peter Horachek placed the 6-6 Hayes in front of the net on the team's second power-play unit where he blocked the goalie's view and cleaned up rebounds."

Hayes scored 11 goals (three on the power play) and added seven assists for the Panthers on the final year of an entry-level contract that carried a $687,500 NHL salary.