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It's Sunday morning, I have a cup of Kona and some thoughts. No big whoop.
PROSPECT CAMP
This year's Igor Makarov was 2013 draftee John Hayden (Makarov being the poster child for prospect camp phenoms).
Other players who stood out included defensemen Michael Paliotta and Nick Mattson, 2012 first round pick Teuvo Teravainen, and Mark McNeill (among others). There were somewhat loosely played scrimmages, and not since my beer league days have I seen so many players wide open in the slot to bury goals.
After following Prospect Camps now for 10 years (and visiting a couple of them), the sense I have is you can occasionally get a glimpse of some unique skill, or you see a player flash some of the attributes that he was drafted for or the player he is projected to be (like Marcus Kruger in 2009—he didn't light the lamp a lot or anything, you could just see him make some plays in space that said, this guy has some NHL ability).
Otherwise, it's a lot of drills and rat hockey.
Hayden showed some of what he was drafted for: physical play, size and willingness. It is unlikely he'll be the next Eric Lindros or even Dustin Brown, but if the stars align and he continues to work hard, he could be a pretty good middle lines power forward down the line.
And I agree with Stan Bowman in his comments on Mattson and Paliotta (two less heralded former draftees who scouts continue to notice in the NCAA), you can never have too many defensemen.
And talking about . . .
STAN BOWMAN
He addressed the press on Friday, most notably discussing potential trades (vague) and the likelihood of signing 2010 first round pick Kevin Hayes. Reading (listening) between the lines, one gets the sense Hayes (or his agent) have shown a sense of entitlement, and Bowman's comments suggest he's having none of it.
I can't predict whether the Hawks will sign Hayes. My spider sense says he probably ends up signing with the Bruins or Rangers. And it really is impossible to say whether that will be a tragedy comparable to trading Dominik Hasek for a 4th round pick, or a footnote in the career of a marginal NHL player.
After all, sticking to one of this morning's themes, he's a prospect. As are Hayden and McNeill, two fairly projectable power forwards as well. Who showed up at prospect camp, put in the work, and don't expect to be handed jobs.
So kudos to the Hawks for holding firm. Because there's a party going on, known as . . .
THE FAN CONVENTION
Not much new to report here. Lots of smiles and photo opps, while you wonder who will be wearing another team's sweater October 1 as part of the Hawks getting under the salary cap (hey, look sweetie, there's Michal Rozsival!)
Now I've got some old Wayne's World, Middle-Aged Man, Sprockets and Coffee Talk clips to watch.
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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