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His name is Kevin Hayes.

Perhaps you’ve heard of him. He’s apparently the next Cam Neely. With a dash of Eric Lindros (well, maybe more than a dash) thrown in.

It’s a long, slow news cycle here in the hockey world. And thus, this near afterthought of the 2010 draft, chosen toward the end of the first round by the then Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks has become a fairly hot topic.

First, how good is he, really?

We know he had three fairly underwhelming seasons with Boston College, before being joined with eventual Hobey Baker winner Johnny Gaudreau on a line for his senior season. It can also be argued, meh, somewhat—that being a senior in college hockey is a little like being an overage junior. You’re competing against kids 2-3 years less developed physically.

We also know Hayes has gotten into a little off-ice trouble while at BC. Some maturity issues.

We know that he did put up some nice numbers this year, fulfilling the initial promise of his scouting reports—that he can score and set up plays—at the college level at least.

We know that he has good size and he’s a fairly good skater. And that he has good bloodlines, his brother Jimmy is an NHL player (of sorts), and his uncle/cousin (something like that) was a fairly good NHL forward named Keith Tkachuk.

I’m not entirely sure what the issue is regarding why the Hawks can’t sign Hayes.

There are whispers that Hayes has a sense of entitlement. Alternately, I’ve heard the Hawks’ front office is being “arrogant.” Maybe a little bit of both are true.

I did hear a year or so ago that Hayes' brother Jimmy had been grumbling about a lack of opportunity/playing time with the NHL parent club when he was a Blackhawks property—before he was shipped off to Florida in the middle of last season along with Brandon Pirri for Kris Versteeg.

I’m not sure who won that deal and maybe both teams lost. But I digress. It could be that the Younger Hayes didn’t like how his brother was treated. There have also been rumblings that Kevin Hayes feels he should be “guaranteed” an NHL job at some point soon, possibly this season. A source close to the Hawks, however, informed me today that he was not aware that Hayes or his agent had ever made such a demand.

But let me say this—and I will grant that I am not a big fan of “playing the kids,” regardless, especially not on a quality contending team like the Hawks. Whether Hayes has that expectation or not, it is exceedingly unlikely he could walk in and play top 6 for the Hawks this year. I mean it’s, like, winning the Power Ball unrealistic. And because his game kind of projects him as a top 6 guy, it’s pretty unrealistic he would play more than a handful of look-see games for the Hawks at all this year.

So maybe the gulf between the Hawks and the legions of other teams alleged to have interest in Hayes is so great that he can help those teams in their Top 6 immediately this year, but I have my doubts.

Just my .02 on the Great Kevin Hayes Saga.

Finally, a sad farewell to a friend who passed away over the weekend, Adam Fels (known here on HB as “yahoodi”), who wrote a blog for the Cubs, and brother of Committed Indian blogger/publisher Sam Fels. Adam was a smart guy and a talented guy, an advertising writer (and a good one).

But the thing I will always remember and appreciate most about Adam was his truly kind heart.

He will be missed. Please remember Adam, Sam and their surviving family and friends in your prayers.

All for now.


JJ

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