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

Well steve downie hazed aliu on the spitfires and ruined him

Good point. Add that the redline is taken out in today's game making the surface much bigger....... Anyone watch the replays of cup finals on NHLN lately? Watched the 85 Oilers-Isles and the 86 Flyers-Oilers the last few days. Incredible to see the hacking/wacking/clutching/obstructing that went on. ......And the skating today as compared to then is light years different.
- Mr Ricochet

At the same time, you watch those clips and see how open the middle of the ice is. Breakaway city.Now, its all about defensive responsibility, obstruction and redirection of the puck. And the guys being so much bigger certainly contributes to that gummed up spacing.

unless he plays defense, we need another D man more than anything.

Streit & Kimo are a combined 76 years old.
- puckhead17

Btw, I still dont get the hartnell move. I know they need the space, but your boys will regret that move. If the Flyers has pulled out the cup in 2010, that guy would have been the Conn Smythe...he was absolutely everywhere. incredibly smart player who is always in the right place at the right time. Columbus will love him. If only the Hawks had the space...

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

Hayden is going into his sophomore season at Yale. He looked pretty good last year's camp too.

Heard he is really good academically and may stay the full 4 years. Parents are both doctor's or something and want him to graduate.

I think he is in a better situation than Aliu and Makharov. Stable environment, good head on his shoulders, no KHL temptation.

If he keeps arcing like this I hope the Hawks can convince him to come out earlier and get some time in the AHL. Just the type of player the Hawks need.

Move away from Kevin Hayes if those reports are true. Hawks need high character players in their organization, that's the only way to win Cups...everyone has talent and several teams boast as much talent as the Hawks...where the Hawks sometimes "find a way" is because of character lead by elite-level on ice leadership. no need to take any chances on "problem children"... or spoiled brats who think they are owed a job in Chicago. We got a bunch of kids, very talented, working for that chance. Hayes should consider no different avenue than that, or let him play with someone else.
- kwolf68

Completely agree, if Hayes wants to cut to the front of the line so to speak he's going to have to do it elsewhere. He needs to come in and work like everyone else. IF he feels he's got a better shot somewhere else best of luck...Hawks get a compensatory pick.

From Bill's persepective its less about Hayes being that good right now and more about how weak the flyers currently are at at LW. Hayes has the size, speed, and potential 2-way play that would fit the bill for Ron Hextall. I can see a scenario working out such as Saad playing with the Toews line in his rookie season.

Bill has gone as far as suggesting the flyers should trade SJ's 3rd (in 2015) and PHI's 2nd (in 2016) for Kevin Hayes. He's pretty high on him.

I totally agree about the entitlement part - I'm not sold on Hayes because of that piece in particular. I wouldn't be upset if the flyers signed him - or didn't - at this point.
- moylander

The compensatory pick will be at the end of the 2nd round so the Hawks would probably take the 2nd and 3rd but why would the Flyers trade 2 picks for the right to negotiate with someone who is UFA in a few weeks?

I really don't see where these "experts" are coming from. Hayes looks solid and better than his brother at the same stage but, at the WCs in Belarus, he did not stand out at all. He was in a checking line roll and his defense did not look solid. He and Jimmy were out there together and getting circles skated around them at times. He had a big year on the wing with Gadreau. Without him looked average.

Completely agree, if Hayes wants to cut to the front of the line so to speak he's going to have to do it elsewhere. He needs to come in and work like everyone else. IF he feels he's got a better shot somewhere else best of luck...Hawks get a compensatory pick.
- DK002

I see where he and his agent are coming from (sort of) but they are going about it the wrong way. He wants to be in the NHL - got it.

Instead of being so public about it they could have signed and had a hand shake deal with SB to get Hayes traded out if he is not on the big club or liking his position in Rockford later this year.

Can Hayes even demand bigger dollars as a UFA? Isn't there a cap on what he can get paid?

They are really just holding out to make sure he is on an NHL roster at around $900k per season. He still has to take a 2 way deal at his age. I guess this is really just about controlling WHERE he goes.

Was Tyler Motte playing this week?

Anyone see him or is he injured?

I thought we would be hearing about the usual suspect (TT), Hayden and Motte. Have seen nothing on him.

Not that I like his attitude (not wanting to play for Chicago after being drafted by them) but I would like to see Hayes play on the top line with Giroux and Voracek. Its still not the top dman we need but another young player in the fold.
- MANXMAN

I'd be shocked if he lasted a week. You guys are nuts to think this guy is a 1st line player in the NHL ever, let alone right now.

I realize most of us were nuts wanting to give TT a shot, But hey, go for it, overpay him also.

Was Tyler Motte playing this week?

Anyone see him or is he injured?

I thought we would be hearing about the usual suspect (TT), Hayden and Motte. Have seen nothing on him.
- tredbrta

There were a ton of guys at this camp, and the boosting up of guys was limited this year. TT, Hayden, Hartman, Johns, Clendening and a couple of other Dman.
Think there's a reason not as much hype. There is not a lot of room and there are a lot of guys on the depth chart. Even with a purge coming next year, still not room for 20 guys over the next 5 years.

If Hayes is that good right now, Bowman should set everything else aside and get him signed. Thing is, the Hawks know he's not that good right now. That's the whole issue.

The other issue is, there's some longer term history of immaturity and a sense of entitlement.
- John Jaeckel

Bingo, Hawk fans!


This tells it all.

I hope he tweeted this to Kevin.

Well steve downie hazed aliu on the spitfires and ruined him
- Jordy8

Yup Akin wasn't standing in the bus toliet....

Gonna say this, and some will go apoplectic at this, but to me it is a favorable comparison.

Watching him play in the WJCs, and some tape from the SM Liiga, the way he controls the puck (to your point above), the smoothness to his game, the refinement, the way he recognizes teammates, he does remind me . . . a little bit . . . of one Alex "Archie" Zhamnov.
- John Jaeckel

After the March Hawk fanboy uprising demanding the hawks drop players off the parent club so TT could save the day I stayed away from any positive commnets on TT for fear of enabling the koolaid to flow into more bodies...


that is a pretty good comparison. The kid is "one of those" who sees the play a few moves ahaead and is very slick and smooth at getting the puck to the open guy, sometimes surprising them.
(That skill will be a great compliment to the other hawks players around him on the attack.)
But when the attack play breaks down is over, and TT suddenly has to be with an opposing player is where he breaks down...he just isn't able to diagnose well and the quicker pace. And I am not talking about egtting back and covering I am talking about the simple. "This is my man and if their breakout is possible to him, I should where?"

Well all love the way our etam can go down and press and keep possession and move it around get the opposition running around, and TT will be good at that.

But there also were plenty of breakdowns where forwards weren't at their best positioning and making defensive plays, and I don't think TT plays in Chicago until they are completely convinced they are adding a defense deficit.

Can Hayes even demand bigger dollars as a UFA? Isn't there a cap on what he can get paid?

They are really just holding out to make sure he is on an NHL roster at around $900k per season. He still has to take a 2 way deal at his age. I guess this is really just about controlling WHERE he goes.
- tredbrta

This was my big question in the last blog.

if you point to the Justin Schultz "free agency" after college,a nd it wasn't completely the same deal. On June 30, 2012, Schultz agreed to a two year entry-level contract at the max amount of $925,000 BUT he pocketed a handsome 2,850,000 bonus.

I am not sure if Hayes is able through freeing his slavery from the hawks able to do the same....but
if he is coveted by a big pockets team in a big media market they may be more than willing to promise the bonus and if they are in need even promise the bottom six spot, up until he plays himself OFF the roster to the farm.

The interesting thing is IF the Hawks really thought Hayes could step in, they could fit the max cap hit but those average annual salary including bonus make it a signing that has you let him start out in Rockford until you have a true fit.

Remember LeBalnc signed and got a $92,500 signing bonus.

So lets; just assume Hayes wants a similar to Schultz $ 2,850,000 signing bonus.

After the March Hawk fanboy uprising demanding the hawks drop players off the parent club so TT could save the day I stayed away from any positive commnets on TT for fear of enabling the koolaid to flow into more bodies...


that is a pretty good comparison. The kid is "one of those" who sees the play a few moves ahaead and is very slick and smooth at getting the puck to the open guy, sometimes surprising them.
(That skill will be a great compliment to the other hawks players around him on the attack.)
But when the attack play breaks down is over, and TT suddenly has to be with an opposing player is where he breaks down...he just isn't able to diagnose well and the quicker pace. And I am not talking about egtting back and covering I am talking about the simple. "This is my man and if their breakout is possible to him, I should where?"

Well all love the way our etam can go down and press and keep possession and move it around get the opposition running around, and TT will be good at that.

But there also were plenty of breakdowns where forwards weren't at their best positioning and making defensive plays, and I don't think TT plays in Chicago until they are completely convinced they are adding a defense deficit.
- wiz1901

You've got some imagination.

Not sure if any if you were at the convention, but did anyone see Jonny Oduya in a walking boot besides me or know what that's about?

Hayden is going into his sophomore season at Yale. He looked pretty good last year's camp too.

Heard he is really good academically and may stay the full 4 years. Parents are both doctor's or something and want him to graduate.

I think he is in a better situation than Aliu and Makharov. Stable environment, good head on his shoulders, no KHL temptation.

If he keeps arcing like this I hope the Hawks can convince him to come out earlier and get some time in the AHL. Just the type of player the Hawks need.
- tredbrta

For your info: Hayden decided to not to return to Yale. He will be plaung for the IceHogs this season.

Not sure if any if you were at the convention, but did anyone see Jonny Oduya in a walking boot besides me or know what that's about?
- goaler11

He broke his foot in the last game of the LA series.

The Kevin Hayes saga continues.

For your info: Hayden decided to not to return to Yale. He will be plaung for the IceHogs this season.
- spanky

Would always prefer a kid finish his schooling no matter the sport, but if he's a Hog next year his development should speed up.

For your info: Hayden decided to not to return to Yale. He will be plaung for the IceHogs this season.
- spanky

Where did you hear this?

The Kevin Hayes saga continues.


- Elbows15

Kevin is my hero.

Kevin is my hero.
- Beaver-Warrior

I wonder how many of the fans of other teams clamoring for him have actually seen him play.

I wonder how many of the fans of other teams clamoring for him have actually seen him play.
- Elbows15

Three?

For your info: Hayden decided to not to return to Yale. He will be plaung for the IceHogs this season.
- spanky

If thats the case, why haven't the Hawks signed him to his ELC?