[News] Kevin Hayes signs with the Rangers

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by getbak

My only concern for Hayes is that he really didn't put up big numbers in College until he was put on the line with Gaudreau. Arnold actually outscored Hayes in each of their first three years at BC (and Arnold didn't become a regular linemate of Johnny's until late in his third year).

Also worth noting is that I believe Arnold was always a very good defensive center in college, and played minutes as a shut-down center while putting up his points. If I were to guess, I would say Arnold more easily translates into the NHL than Hayes.

I do definitely agree, however - if Hayes is wanting to sign with Calgary, Calgary would be foolish not to snap him up. He is a legitimate prospect with some upside, but also could be a bit of a project for a couple of seasons. Some projects definitely pan out when shown some patience, however, and he may in fact be such a case.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

No, last season was Hayes' first with Gaudreau. However, Hayes was starting to put up more points in his last season on the 2nd line before the trio got in the first quarter of the season. He was looking like a break-out player from what I recall on his own, though playing with Gaudreau and Arnold definitely helped his numbers explode at the time.

Thanks - this is what I was trying to figure out. It looked like Hayes development was along the lines of most big men and he was starting to break out in his third year. Granted, playing with Gaudreau would pad anyone's stats but Hayes definitely seems worth signing if he becomes available in August.

[sureLoss]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/blac...-prospect-camp

Forward Kevin Hayes will not attend the camp as he and the Blackhawks continue to negotiate an entry-level contract, according to Hayes' agent on Tuesday. Hayes had been to the Blackhawks' last four prospect camps since being selected by the Blackhawks as the No. 24 overall pick in the 2010 draft.

Time is running out for Hayes and the Blackhawks to work out a deal. The Blackhawks have until Aug. 15 to sign him or he becomes an unrestricted free agent. If they are unable to agree on a contract before the deadline, the Blackhawks will be given a compensatory second-round draft pick in 2015.

Hayes' agent Robert Murray said Tuesday the negotiations are ongoing between Hayes and the Blackhawks, and there is a possibility the two sides can still come to an agreement.

"Of course he could still sign with Chicago," Murray wrote in a text on Tuesday.

Murray previously said there were a number of criteria, including depth of the organization, they were using to determine whether Hayes would sign. Hayes would likely begin his professional career in the AHL if he signed with the Blackhawks.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Arnold is a right-hand shot too and it wouldn't surprise me to see him play on the right side rather than at center given the potential log-jam at that position. He has a hard shot and play-making ability in addition to skating well and being solid as a rock. A much under-rated player in my opinion.

Yeah, that makes sense because of glut of centerman, but it would a shame to move Arnold to the RW when he's might be the best prospect at face-offs.

[Street Pharmacist]

When he says "including the depth of the organization", are they expecting the Blackhawks to trade better players away? Sounds to me like they just don't want to look bad. Can't see how the depth changes, so I guess they can say the ball was in the Blackhawks court, and he's not wanting out. The reality though appears otherwise

[Coach]

I'm all for bringing Hayes on board, and depth of the organization is definitely something to consider for him and I don't blame him. But the line "Hayes would likely begin his professional career in the AHL if he signed with the Blackhawks." irks me a bit. Hayes will likely start in the AHL no matter where he goes, even somewhere as deficient at RW as Calgary. He would almost definitely start in the AHL with the Flames, and if that's a deterrent for him, he's on the wrong career path.

He might start in the NHL if he went to the Oilers, but then he would live a life of sadness and regret while his buddy Johnny makes them look silly for years to come.

[tempz]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

When he says "including the depth of the organization", are they expecting the Blackhawks to trade better players away? Sounds to me like they just don't want to look bad. Can't see how the depth changes, so I guess they can say the ball was in the Blackhawks court, and he's not wanting out. The reality though appears otherwise

It really does sound like he isn't going to sign. I guess the only thing they could do to resolve his depth of organization concern is give him assurances that he is in their plans because of his size and accomplishments. But when you look at the prospect pool and the NHL roster, his odds of making it in that organization really are laughable.

He's behind Kane, Hossa, Smith, Versteeg in the big club. And then down in Rockford they already have a top level RW prospect with Ryan Hartman there who will likely be playing in Rockford again next year after playing there for 9 games last year and putting up 7 points. Add in the fact they are overloaded on solid prospects at Center (Teuvo Teravainen, Drew LeBlanc, Mark McNeill, Phillip Danault to name just a few) meaning one of those guys will likely be playing RW next year, and his chances at getting decent ice time even in the AHL would be a concern for him.

[Vulcan]

As far as money goes, I don't know what's to be negotiated. If Chicago wants him, give him the max and have him sign. Maybe Hayes wants some guarantees as far as NHL ice time goes but I can't see that flying.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by MattyC

I'm all for bringing Hayes on board, and depth of the organization is definitely something to consider for him and I don't blame him. But the line "Hayes would likely begin his professional career in the AHL if he signed with the Blackhawks." irks me a bit. Hayes will likely start in the AHL no matter where he goes, even somewhere as deficient at RW as Calgary. He would almost definitely start in the AHL with the Flames, and if that's a deterrent for him, he's on the wrong career path.

I wouldn't be so worried about it. It isn't necessarily that he doesn't want to play in the AHL, just that he doesn't want to remain there longer than he has to. The quicker a player makes it to the NHL, the more money he gets, and the more likely he can actually make a career of it.

I would assume he would know the AHL is probably where he starts regardless of which team he signs with - even Calgary (I don't see him winning a spot from current roster). However, Calgary is not as stacked as Chicago on RW, and he probably knows he wouldn't get a shot at the NHL for a much longer period of time, if at all.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I wouldn't be so worried about it. It isn't necessarily that he doesn't want to play in the AHL, just that he doesn't want to remain there longer than he has to. The quicker a player makes it to the NHL, the more money he gets, and the more likely he can actually make a career of it.

I would assume he would know the AHL is probably where he starts regardless of which team he signs with - even Calgary (I don't see him winning a spot from current roster). However, Calgary is not as stacked as Chicago on RW, and he probably knows he wouldn't get a shot at the NHL for a much longer period of time, if at all.

Yeah I agree for sure. It just seems like more and more prospects view of the NHL path has been skewed (especially for 1st rounders) because there was a flurry of 2 or 3 years in a row where multiple 1st rounders made impact-like debuts on their teams. Now it seems like this is just expected.

[Vulcan]

He's starting to remind me of Tom. I think he should sign with Chicago. They have a practical and emotional investment in him, another team won't.

[GoodUncle]

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.

[GoodUncle]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

......and emotional investment in him,......

Business is business. The old days of NHL teams being emotionally invested in a player are long gone, I think anyways.

[Cole436]

I feel for the Hawks. NCAA players should be under rights for an extra year after they finish their four so these situations don't occur.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by GoodUncle

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.

How exactly does Chicago "pony up?" Hayes is getting the same money no matter where he goes. He's going to get rookie max, which means if he ends up in the AHL he's going to make $70k. This all boils down to opportunity and playing time in the NHL and access to the NHL salary. For Chicago to pony up they would have to dump a few players to clear the way for Hayes. I doubt they do that an guarantee this kid a spot. Calgary could do that, simply because of how poor our organizational depth is. It wouldn't be a stretch for Hayes to make the club out of camp, we are that thin. Money remains the same, except the possibility of earning the NHL salary is higher in another city than Chicago.

[Completely]

I think if that organization drafted you, and (assuming) has been there to help you improve throughout the years. You should sign with them and then if you aren't getting what you want you can ask for a trade or something might happen in a year or two.

I do think that Hayes not signing in Chicago is a win/win for both of them. Seems like this Hayes thing is just a headache, I'd just wash my hands of it and take the second. Then Hayes could go where ever he wanted to go. Whether it be in Florida with his brother, Calgary for his BC buddies, or anywhere else to get NHL playing time.

[SuperMatt18]

I'm actually not sure how much Chicago likes Hayes, they don't seem to be making much noise about him not signing or about trying to move him.

For all we know they might want the 2nd in what is supposed to be a pretty deep draft.

[GoodUncle]

Originally Posted by New Era

How exactly does Chicago "pony up?" Hayes is getting the same money no matter where he goes.

I get the money issue. You just assumed when I chose the words "pony up" I meant $$$. I didn't. I'm talking playing time.

[Matt Reeeeead]

Have to wonder of Hayes and agent are waiting to see the cap hits of guys like Toews/Kane. The higher the cap hit will make it more difficult to add a guy with the rookies bonuses that he would command as a 1st round pick, a spot on the roster the Blackhawks might prefer to give to a minimum salary roster player. He would become an easy candidate to trade to which he might have no say in where he would go.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Cole436

I feel for the Hawks. NCAA players should be under rights for an extra year after they finish their four so these situations don't occur.

That would be unfair as then NCAA players' rights would be held longer than those of their draft counter parts. It's the NCAA's long list of archaic rules that allow this to happen. Not allowing teams to pay for their travel and accomodations to attend camps. Not allow them to sign contracts, even if they don't take effect until certain conditions are met (ie, the 9 games for Junior players).

If a scientist at their school is courted by a top company, do they let that student work at the company while also attending schoool (if the student is so inclined)? This is no different to me and it's ridiculous that they hindeer them in this way. You can't really blame a guy for not having much of a connection to their NHL team when all theyve been able to do is attend a weekend summer camp every year, and even then have to pay for it.