Back to Kevin Hayes for a moment.

Juxtapose that to Dennis Rasmussen. Rasmussen wasn't even drafted, was signed as a FA by the Hawks. He could have signed on with any number of teams and despite the Hawks depth at center in the organization signed here and is dedicated to working hard and making the team and doesn't expect to be given anything.

Kevin Hayes could take some lessons from Rasmussen.

I don't know much about him, but in some video clips I've seen I like his skating. He is obviously a bigger boy as well and has a good reputation for a strong two-way game. He could be an interesting candidate to fill a bottom 6 centering role.
- kwolf68

Omigosh, you are a mind reader and astute mind kwolf - I just came back here to post that guys like DennisRamMoose-son who is a polished performer, already in a pro-like atmosphere in terms of readiness and preparation, longer schedules and the fitness to handle them are who Kevin Hayes would have ot beat out.

This kid looked good with Hartman & TT on the wings and has two way game, good feet and handles the heavy play and can shoot the puck.

Lesson from Moose?
More like that is the type guys Hayes is afraid he would have to compete against.
Sure great comeback year ... but Johnny Gaudreau helped Kevin get opportunities and took the position of centre away from him, relegating him to an off handed wing whose many chances came from Johnny having defender over converge on him.

Omigosh, you are a mind reader and astute mind kwolf - I just came back here to post that guys like DennisRamMoose-son who is a polished performer, already in a pro-like atmosphere in terms of readiness and preparation, longer schedules and the fitness to handle them are who Kevin Hayes would have ot beat out.

This kid looked good with Hartman & TT on the wings and has two way game, good feet and handles the heavy play and can shoot the puck.

Lesson from Moose?
More like that is the type guys Hayes is afraid he would have to compete against.
Sure great comeback year ... but Johnny Gaudreau helped Kevin get opportunities and took the position of centre away from him, relegating him to an off handed wing whose many chances came from Johnny having defender over converge on him.
- wiz1901

How many more scarce electrons are we going to waste on a kid who has yet to play a professional game - and is not likely to play his first one on Chicago or Rockford?

How many more scarce electrons are we going to waste on a kid who has yet to play a professional game - and is not likely to play his first one on Chicago or Rockford?
- StLBravesFan

Way to much time wasted on Hayes. I'll be happy to take the compensatory 2nd round pick for him. Buh-bye!

How many more scarce electrons are we going to waste on a kid who has yet to play a professional game - and is not likely to play his first one on Chicago or Rockford?
- StLBravesFan

About as many as you're wasting seeing his phight as the best route.

Scarce ?

Maybe my hair lines starting to get there (as in scarce), but enough electrons are clicking to feel happy or sad about each & every Blackhawk prospect, and be willing to state, it jammer.

I love every part of this K Hayes story!

I don't think Makarov was there in 2009. Aliu was the star, a man among boys (and there ya go).
- John Jaeckel

The entire Makarov pump up was a fraud to start...Supposedly a relation to the great Igor Makorov of Red Army fame...He was no relation at all.

The year Aliu got drafted he won the competition as the best skater at the draft and with his size was interesting but like Beach....The size with skill thing never happened in the NHL.

The entire Makarov pump up was a fraud to start...Supposedly a relation to the great Igor Makorov of Red Army fame...He was no relation at all.

The year Aliu got drafted he won the competition as the best skater at the draft and with his size was interesting but like Beach....The size with skill thing never happened in the NHL.
- Al

son of Sergei Makorov

http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=10677

No, it doesn't - but IMO, worry about that one then.

Be the best you can be - this year - because I think you have a couple of transition years ahead starting in 2015-16 no matter what happens.

Unless the cap goes up by a lot more that I expect it to.
- StLBravesFan

The only Cup you can win is the next one.

My personal opinion is Stan made bad moves by offloading Pirri, Olson and Hayes. Hayes was not dynamic but was a serviceable big man with good hand who showed he could score at the NHL level. Pirri may have lacked the defense some wanted to see but with both Hayes and Pirri on entry level deals, I have to believe you get more on balance than with one Verstink playing no D, giving you little O and generally being a non-physical turnover machine. Olson has a ways to go but I believe he'll ultimately be a serviceable bottom pairing D-man at least. Stan essentially got little to nothing for 3 of his supposed top prospects and is now saddled with Verstinks' contract moving forward.
- Baaaaaaannerman!

I can understand your rationalization to have kept those kids whom Stan the peddler sent to Florida. Cheap contracts. Probably could score some if given the opportunity. But not as good a player and not as good in many ways as someone else who they would not beat out for a job.

Essentially though you are overlooking two points and both are overriding your viewpoint.

First of all, if is difficult to trade prospects for a fair draft choice if you hold on to them for too long. There becomes a logjam and the next wave of prospects is getting closer to the play or trade scenario Bowman faced. Since a good GM actually hopes to see such a development, it is fitting to "roll over" prospects and bring more in for the farm club......so the systematic strategy is to see a farm system that is perpetually pushing prospects either up to challenge and take a spot in Chicago, or elsewhere due to trades.

The next wave of prospects include players with a different skill set and they - most of them if they are any good- will be like a yo yo back and forth between the AHL and NHL. This is my second point, and I will continue to expound therein.

Among those in the next wave are three forwards whom will likely desire to do the things Q demands. Namely, puck pursuit,,defensive awareness and effort, and are not as one dimensional scorers type as both Hayes and Pirri are. When and ever should Hayes plays a consistent physical checking game and thinks offense secondly, then maybe Tallon has himself a player. Btw I have been told that Hayes does not even have a proper technique in weight distribution when he checks, so look out for a train coming should he ever get that down pat!

As for Olsen, he remains a work in progress. While he is good enough in some aspects of the game to play limited minutes in the NHL, here you have another big size player (like Hayes) who is not regularly using his good size advantage in physical play. He needs to do that since as a bottom pair dman this is a desirable way to play. It helps insofar as to keep a job. Olsen has enough going for himself so that by adding the physical element, he will then convince coaches and GM's to let him stick around and improve on his decision making &getting back on defense.

Overall Olsen's game from a defensive standpoint needs to improve and Bowman in all likelihood could not fathom Olsen playing regularly and effectively enough any time soon. A couple seasons more in Rockford. Who knows other dman dman prospects may need just two or less years in Rockford?

Bowman choose to go out and sign some of his own choices in Johns and Fournier. He knew he would sign them even though Olsen was dispatched before they actually signed on. In addition, Bowman was able to corral TVR. Those three along with Dahlbeck will challenge for the spot Olsen could not obtain in Chicago. It may be at least one season henceforth but one spot on a third pair is going to get filled by those aforementioned. Dahlbeck might be in the lineup soon but there is the Rundblad situation which muddles up plans.

And among McNeill, Nordstrom and Danault ......one or more will fit what this team needs in a few ways that Pirri and Hayes never would.

I'm still waiting to read or hear something that projects Kevin Hayes as an 'impact' player' in the NHL going foward. Until I do, why would I think he's anything more than a Jake Dowell or Jimmy Hayes waiting to happen.

Which by definition means he's a journeyman, a 4th liner, a marginal talent.
- RickJ

Exactly. He sucks donkey balls.

Tweet isn't the best description of what I'd want to do to Helen Mirren...

If we all take a step back from the Hayes situation, you'll remember way back during the playoffs was when Tracey Myers tweeted that the Hawks told here they are not going sign him.

Not that the signing would be tough, or he has other teams he was interested in, but not going to be signing him.

The contradiction to this is the Hawks paying for him to come out to see game five of the LA-Hawk series live.

At this point, i just wish it was Aug. 16th.
- wiz1901

I said Helen Hayes. I have no idea who Helen Mirren is.

Hey Carcus or stLJammer,

Could you provide the rationalization for moving Polak for Gunnerson? Just as with Ott staying instead of Sobotka, I am happy with outcome (since the better player left in each situation). But with Polak the Blues had an enviable, valued dman who played in the shadow of the more acclaimed skill guys on your back end. Polak was a tough, strong physical presence who checked hard and was a good balance to the offensive puck movers on your team's blueline.

I do not think Gunnerson is anything much. Serviceable. More offensive minded sort actually, which is why the Blues would have been better off keeping Polak. I don't know, was it a $ cost saving move? Now the Blues have I Cole as their main back up. A player whose two way game could blossom but yet he maybe is 1) just not a good enough decision maker and 2) needs a regular shift- hard to give to anyone with the cast in place on your blueline.

I did ask you previously about Cole. Now how do you analyze the Polak trade going forward into next season? He always played well against Chicago, although Polak was assessed penalties sometimes.

About as many as you're wasting seeing his phight as the best route.

Scarce ?

Maybe my hair lines starting to get there (as in scarce), but enough electrons are clicking to feel happy or sad about each & every Blackhawk prospect, and be willing to state, it jammer.

I love every part of this K Hayes story!
- wiz1901

Please read what I wrote.

I didn't say it was his best route: I said HE THOUGHT it was his best route.

Not sure if anyone posted this yet or not, but sure sounds like Kaner is still staying in playing shape this summer. Man oh man is he good!

http://bleacherreport.com...ts-in-buffalo-mens-league

Not sure if anyone posted this yet or not, but sure sounds like Kaner is still staying in playing shape this summer. Man oh man is he good!

http://bleacherreport.com...ts-in-buffalo-mens-league


- TommyHawk

I'm surprised that Essex didn't send Dave Lafko, apparently their version of Raffi Torres, after Kaner to shut him down (see Box Score - 15PIM).

I'm also a little surprised that Kane is playing in a rec league given his late-season knee strain. I agree that playing beats not playing but I wince every time these guys take a hit or fall awkwardly in pickup games like these that something bad will happen.

Hell, if they are moving Sharp next year anyway, that could be a nice trading chip too

Sharp + 2nd rounder for a very good younger player or prospect
- FourFeathers773

In the NFL you aren't allowed to trade compensatory picks, are you in the NHL? If not, guess would still work, just trade your own, and still have one.

Omigosh, you are a mind reader and astute mind kwolf - I just came back here to post that guys like DennisRamMoose-son who is a polished performer, already in a pro-like atmosphere in terms of readiness and preparation, longer schedules and the fitness to handle them are who Kevin Hayes would have ot beat out.

This kid looked good with Hartman & TT on the wings and has two way game, good feet and handles the heavy play and can shoot the puck.

Lesson from Moose?
More like that is the type guys Hayes is afraid he would have to compete against.
Sure great comeback year ... but Johnny Gaudreau helped Kevin get opportunities and took the position of centre away from him, relegating him to an off handed wing whose many chances came from Johnny having defender over converge on him.
- wiz1901

Thanks Wiz. I admit I don't know much about Rasmussen and there are few spots available in Chicago, but a capable bottom 6 center who can skate, win draws, play in PK situation could work his way into lineup. I, for one, am not a fan of Shaw at center so moving him to wing I think would make the Hawks better. But we can only really do that if we find another bottom 6-C to go with Kruger.

Rasmussen is 24 so he's physically developed, already comes with good size, he has good wheels, and as you said has valuable experience players like Hayes do not have.

Will be interesting to see how things shake out. What I don't know is HOW confident Hawks brass is in all their prospects. We've heard them celebrate many in the past and then we add retreads to lineup while keeping ballyhooed prospect on the farm. So I still question HOW confident they are in all the players. But if anyone has a chance to sneak through Rasmussen fits the mold.

More to the point, I think, the quicker to a non-ELC contract and to UFA.

Jesus, he can go to a place of HIS choosing, not where the league tells him to go. How can that not be best for him? Chicago is NOT the only good organization in the league, nor is it the only Cup contender.
- StLBravesFan

I do agree with your previous point about if it was happening in Dallas. Heck if he was doing this to Dallas, because he wanted to play for the Hawks, we'd all be jumping up and down for joy and thinking he was the greatest player since Gretzky, (or at least Ott)

At the end of the day, no matter how much talent someone has, if they don't want to be here, you don't want him here.

I really don't have that much of an issue with him wanting to; Play with his brother (FL), play with his friends (Cal), play for his home team (Bos) he earned the right by staying all 4 years in school. What I can't take, if its true, is the BS about how badly the Hawks treated his brother, and he's upset because they traded him. If any of this is true, don't let the door hit you in the a$$. Wayne F-ing Gretzky was traded, who the hell is Jimmy Hayes

I said Helen Hayes. I have no idea who Helen Mirren is.
- Elbows15

Someone I think who was considered hot in the 70s. You know 40 years ago.

How many more scarce electrons are we going to waste on a kid who has yet to play a professional game - and is not likely to play his first one on Chicago or Rockford?
- StLBravesFan

Blame it on Stan, if he would trade someone, we'd have something else to talk about.

Exactly. He sucks donkey balls.
- Elbows15

The reality is, though we don't know how it transpired, Stan could have tried to sign him after any one of his first three mediocre seasons at BC. Stan likely wanted to take a wait and see approach to protect the Hawks from a bad signing but in doing so he exposed Hayes to the potential of never being signed if, for example, he had a terrible senior year or got hurt. Very similar to a team not extending a guy before his free agent season. When the guy does well the decision to wait and see is going to be a boom for the player and a bust for the team who now has to pay much more. In Hayes' case a great senior season gave him his pick of any NHL club. I can't see how any Hawk can could begrudge him the options he gave himself when viewed in that context.

Someone I think who was considered hot in the 70s. You know 40 years ago.
- vabeachbear

If memory serves, Helen Hayes was already really old in the seventies.

Not sure if anyone posted this yet or not, but sure sounds like Kaner is still staying in playing shape this summer. Man oh man is he good!

http://bleacherreport.com...ts-in-buffalo-mens-league


- TommyHawk

I heard he will be playing a little in a 4-on-4 league with Matt Carey as well. That league is north of the border in Burlington, ON.

I heard he will be playing a little in a 4-on-4 league with Matt Carey as well. That league is north of the border in Burlington, ON.
- TyCamScore

Do you know much about Carey...if so do you think he has a shot at making the Hawks next season (not the upcoming one)?

I can understand your rationalization to have kept those kids whom Stan the peddler sent to Florida. Cheap contracts. Probably could score some if given the opportunity. But not as good a player and not as good in many ways as someone else who they would not beat out for a job.

Essentially though you are overlooking two points and both are overriding your viewpoint.

First of all, if is difficult to trade prospects for a fair draft choice if you hold on to them for too long. There becomes a logjam and the next wave of prospects is getting closer to the play or trade scenario Bowman faced. Since a good GM actually hopes to see such a development, it is fitting to "roll over" prospects and bring more in for the farm club......so the systematic strategy is to see a farm system that is perpetually pushing prospects either up to challenge and take a spot in Chicago, or elsewhere due to trades.

The next wave of prospects include players with a different skill set and they - most of them if they are any good- will be like a yo yo back and forth between the AHL and NHL. This is my second point, and I will continue to expound therein.

Among those in the next wave are three forwards whom will likely desire to do the things Q demands. Namely, puck pursuit,,defensive awareness and effort, and are not as one dimensional scorers type as both Hayes and Pirri are. When and ever should Hayes plays a consistent physical checking game and thinks offense secondly, then maybe Tallon has himself a player. Btw I have been told that Hayes does not even have a proper technique in weight distribution when he checks, so look out for a train coming should he ever get that down pat!

As for Olsen, he remains a work in progress. While he is good enough in some aspects of the game to play limited minutes in the NHL, here you have another big size player (like Hayes) who is not regularly using his good size advantage in physical play. He needs to do that since as a bottom pair dman this is a desirable way to play. It helps insofar as to keep a job. Olsen has enough going for himself so that by adding the physical element, he will then convince coaches and GM's to let him stick around and improve on his decision making &getting back on defense.

Overall Olsen's game from a defensive standpoint needs to improve and Bowman in all likelihood could not fathom Olsen playing regularly and effectively enough any time soon. A couple seasons more in Rockford. Who knows other dman dman prospects may need just two or less years in Rockford?

Bowman choose to go out and sign some of his own choices in Johns and Fournier. He knew he would sign them even though Olsen was dispatched before they actually signed on. In addition, Bowman was able to corral TVR. Those three along with Dahlbeck will challenge for the spot Olsen could not obtain in Chicago. It may be at least one season henceforth but one spot on a third pair is going to get filled by those aforementioned. Dahlbeck might be in the lineup soon but there is the Rundblad situation which muddles up plans.

And among McNeill, Nordstrom and Danault ......one or more will fit what this team needs in a few ways that Pirri and Hayes never would.
- jhawk59

As I said, my personal opinion is Stan made a mistake offloading the three and in the manner he did. I have the benefit of retrospect, and Versteeg could have proven to be a steal, but knowing his game from his first go 'round, is anyone surprised we got as little out of him as we did? He played like he plays and he's always had the tendency to be a black hole with the puck. Pirri may turn our to be nothing, but I still would have liked to have him to platoon with Handzus later in the year, both giving the Hawks more offensive punch and giving Zus needed rest for the playoffs. So, in the short term you got nada and maybe in the long term each guy turns out to be pretty good pros, which would only be worse in evaluating those trades from Stan's perspective. And when praying at the altar of Stan Bowman, people have to remember he's the guy who also traded guys like Ladd and Byfuglien for little to nothing and signed guys like Pisani, Brunette and Khabibulin. He neither has an easy job as an NHL GM nor has he proven himself infallible and thus above criticism or second-guessing. I understand most people's opinions on Hayes, Pirri and Olson weren't worth a bag of pucks combined, I just feel like that's still TBD in the long term and I see no benefit from those moves in the short term.