Fred65 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Kevin Hayes has the hockey world on a string. The 22-year-old winger is coming off an excellent senior season at Boston College, where he finished second in the country in scoring (27-38-65) and was honored as a 2014 Hobey Baker finalist. He has terrific size (6-foot-4, 216 pounds, according to his BC stats), quick feet and and a knack for the net. There are scouts who feel that he can step into the NHL next season and, over time, mature into a solid top-six forward. And unlike most players his age, he has the rare luxury of picking where he wants to make that happen. Hayes was a 2010 first-round choice by Chicago, and the Blackhawks would love to get him into the fold. But if they can't get his name on a contract by the fast approaching Aug. 15 deadline, he becomes a free agent who will be able to sign with any team. It's an interesting spot for the kid. Does he commit to a leading Stanley Cup contender, but one whose incredible depth diminishes his chances of earning real minutes any time soon? Or does he hold out for an organization that he can grow with, one where the opportunity exists to skate in the NHL right away? The fact that Chicago cleared some space with a couple of late-season deals and will be in need of some cap-friendly contracts makes sticking with the Hawks an attractive option. But rumors have been circulating for months that Hayes was leaning toward exploring the market, especially after the Hawks traded his older brother Jimmy to Florida in the Kris Versteeg deal. The chance to join Jimmy on the rebuilding Panthers might have some appeal. So could a reunion with his BC linemates Johnny Gaudreau and Bill Arnold in Calgary. And now, days after Hayes passed on attending Chicago's development camp, it appears that the Rangers have entered the picture. According to beat writer Larry Brooks, the Blueshirts are expected to be among a handful of finalists for Hayes' services if he ignores Chicago's overtures. Brooks says Hayes, who is required to sign a two-year Entry Level deal no matter where he goes, “would have a shot to make the Rangers with a strong training camp,” adding that the Rangers “appear to have vacancies on their third and fourth lines.” It makes sense for New York to be aggressive. After trading away their own first-round draft picks in 2013, 2014 and 2015, Hayes would help address a critical talent gap. And he has to like his chances to make an immediate impact on Broadway given the departure of bottom-six forwards Brian Boyle and Benoit Pouliot. The presence of a familiar face, former BC teammate Chris Kreider, presumably adds to the appeal. The Rangers also rank as one of the few contenders with enough cap space to fit Hayes into their budget. He is limited by the CBA to a $900,000 max base salary, but is eligible for signing and performance bonuses that could elevate his compensation to $2.85 million. The Canadiens, who traditionally love American college-trained players and have a clear need for size up front, might also be able to make something work, as could the Avalanche, Wild and Sharks. But until Aug. 15th, the Hawks still hold the hammer ... even if their grip is weakened by cap concerns of their own. No doubt GM Stan Bowman will exhaust his options to get Hayes under contract, but failure won't leave him empty handed. It's conceivable that he could trade Hayes' negotiating rights for a prospect. Barring that, he could let Hayes sign elsewhere and accept the 54th pick in the 2015 draft from the NHL as compensation. That might be the best option available to the Blackhawks if Hayes is committed to finding the best option available to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derp... Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeNiro Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 He was a teammate of Demko's. That's about all the Canucks could sell him on. That and the fact that Benning lived in the Boston area for quite awhile, and has probably been out to watch him play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred65 Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 He was a teammate of Demko's. That's about all the Canucks could sell him on. That and the fact that Benning lived in the Boston area for quite awhile, and has probably been out to watch him play. Good point about Benning having a handle on the guy. Benning likes big that much we know. We have 48 players on our roster I believe so there's space. Those scouts for Chicago keep coming up with gold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanTSN Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Florida-bound, likely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred65 Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 Florida-bound, likely. Yeah could be but from what I've heard Florida already loaded with prospect want some immediate results. I can't recall who I heard this from but the owners have given Tallon the green light to bringing in some players...Who knows Sharpe from the Hawks or similar they want results on the ice now...maybe start selling some of those empty seats they're famous for... I wonder how Lui is enjoying those empty arenas....make a guy feel appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerEpic5 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Get er done Benning. Not only will he solidify our top 6... he fits in the west and fits the Benning model. Good big strong power forward that is very skilled. I've seen this guy play too. He's got gears.. and just amazing to watch. Virtanen Kassian Hayes 3 future top 6 players that are big and strong. That's IF we get Hayes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Not really sold on him. His only big year was his senior year, playing with Gaudreau and Bill Arnold helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 The story makes no sense. It would make sense to sign him to a cap friendly deal and move a vet, not the other way around. Captain Serious and Kane can't do it all. The Blackhawks are going to need as much depth as they can find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred65 Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 The story makes no sense. It would make sense to sign him to a cap friendly deal and move a vet, not the other way around. Captain Serious and Kane can't do it all. The Blackhawks are going to need as much depth as they can find. The kicker is they don't have any Cap space and sounds like this guy wants to play now. Chicago needs to get rid of Cap Space. Doesn't look good when he turns down the invite to the Hawks prospects camp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeNiro Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Not really sold on him. His only big year was his senior year, playing with Gaudreau and Bill Arnold helps. Yea but if we could somehow get this guy without using a pick, Benning will be all over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Yea but if we could somehow get this guy without using a pick, Benning will be all over it. Of course, no risk at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monteeun Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Wow, how did Chicago get into this position? I wonder if we can grab a roster player from Chicago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeNiro Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Of course, no risk at all. The only risk is that they would have to use up one of their last remaining contracts. But I mean we can always dump one of our lower prospects for a pick. It never hurts to have more size in the prospect pool. Hayes plays a good 200 foot game too, which seems to be what Benning is looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Edler for Seabrook. Buys them time (3 more seasons in fact). Saves them $800,000 a year. Hamhuis Seabrook Stanton Bieksa Sbisa Tanev Weber Corrado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogolol Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Edler for Seabrook. Buys them time (3 more seasons in fact). Saves them $800,000 a year. Hamhuis Seabrook Stanton Bieksa Sbisa Tanev Weber Corrado hahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahaha, edler isn't close to seabrooks value right now, we would have to add a first at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyWalton Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Wow, how did Chicago get into this position? I wonder if we can grab a roster player from Chicago 2 reasons...Toews and Kane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 hahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahaha, edler isn't close to seabrooks value right now, we would have to add a first at least. Offering a solution for cap space. You know if they get stuck. I didn't say it was a great deal for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 The only risk is that they would have to use up one of their last remaining contracts. But I mean we can always dump one of our lower prospects for a pick. It never hurts to have more size in the prospect pool. Hayes plays a good 200 foot game too, which seems to be what Benning is looking for. Mallet and Blomstrands are waste of contract spots so there's not much risk there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DownUndaCanuck Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 They have more issues than signing a guy like Hayes. Plenty of their young roster players are due for big contract extensions and there's no way Chicago can pay them unless they cut a lot of their current big contracts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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