I think Hayes is a great hockey player. I've watched this guy grow the last four years at BC and every year he has steadily improved. Even with his unfortunate quad contusion near the end of his junior year requiring surgery and rehab, he demonstrated continued improvement and growth his senior year in spite of it all. That's a huge plus for any NHL organization. The last thing you want to see is a draft pick laying flat.
I think if I was inside his head I could definitely see how signing with the Blackhawks would be difficult. The depth on that team would most assuredly require him to play AHL, for a while in my opinion, before playing NHL.
I actually like the fact that he's decided to hold off signing. If they want him that badly, then pony up! Otherwise I think several organizations would be right there waiting to sign him.
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