​The Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets are once again in the market for a center as the trade deadline nears.





According to Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet, both the Jets and Predators are showing interest in New York Rangers' ​Kevin H​ayes for a trade deadline rental. Both teams were heavily interested in Paul Stastny at last year's trade deadline, as the Jets eventually paid heavily for the two-way center.

Headlines: Jets throttle Ducks, set franchise record. Jets annihilate sitting Ducks. Ducks return from 9-day break and give up 9 goals in loss to Jets. Jets interested in New York Rangers centre Kevin Hayes. https://t.co/z4Ti2ifKdC — Illegal Curve Hockey (@IllegalCurve) February 3, 2019

​​The two teams will go head-to-head once again for a playoff rental.





Hayes will be a free agent following this season after signing a one-year contract worth $5 million in the offseason. He's been a huge bright spot for the Rangers, scoring 11 goals and adding 25 assists in 42 games this season. He recently missed a handful of games due to a lower-body injury, but has since returned and is back to regularly producing. He's logged three points in three games since getting back on the ice.

Kevin Hayes has registered 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in his 14 games, as well as 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists) in his last 28 games. #NYR — NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) February 3, 2019

​​Hayes would be a dangerous force on the second line for either the Predators or Jets.





The Rangers have reportedly set the price for Hayes at a first-round pick, a top prospect, and a young roster player. If the Jets were to trade for him, they'd likely slot him in on the second line with the slumping Patrik Laine. The Preds would use him similarly, putting him on the second line with Kevin Fiala and Craig Smith.





Expect both teams to heavily pursue the two-way center as the Feb. 25 trade deadline approaches.