Keep in mind Toews has not done anything with the team this summer.

He has been on his own agenda for once and if he isn't going to the fan convention, missing the Vesey dog and pony show shouldn't be a shock.
- Al

Taser has a girlfriend, Tazer has a girlfriend!

Keep in mind Toews has not done anything with the team this summer.

He has been on his own agenda for once and if he isn't going to the fan convention, missing the Vesey dog and pony show shouldn't be a shock.
- Al

Al--

Have you heard of a disconnect or something between Toews and the organization? Or is he just taking time to focus on himself/family/friends this off season and all is well?

Taser has a girlfriend, Tazer has a girlfriend!
- wiz1901

Both do but yes...I added to other post but..

Having Kane as an East coast kid who now calls Chicago his home there also makes a point.

Al--

Have you heard of a disconnect or something between Toews and the organization? Or is he just taking time to focus on himself/family/friends this off season and all is well?
- Hank3Henshaw

I have heard nothing specific on Toews..

But in the past the general comments were players were being asked to do too much. Last season in particular they cut down on the appearances during the regular season.

Toews has done a lot of heavy lifting, including anything that was asked last summer while Kane was in seclusion.

The pitch is going to be that he can step in an play in Chicagos top 6 right away, likely on the Toews line. If not, he will probably be with Kane. As someone told me late last night "our feeling is Kane can play with anybody and they are going to put up points "

Also the Hawks are optimistic but not desperate to get JV. They are going to make their pitch, come home, likely wait until Friday and go from there.

I can tell you they are not on pins and needles thinking this is a must get.

I have heard nothing specific on Toews..

But in the past the general comments were players were being asked to do too much. Last season in particular they cut down on the appearances during the regular season.

Toews has done a lot of heavy lifting, including anything that was asked last summer while Kane was in seclusion.
- Al

Cool. No doubt. There has certainly always appeared to be an overload of off-ice duties in the Hawks organization.

I could see it burning guys out eventually.

6628 just nicely stated, that Kevin Hayes was looking for a big NHL check right-away-ice time right away, and wanted to by-pass being "part of the organization" and "growing his game" and "waiting for his chance."

I also think 6628 means paying your dues, fighting through adversity and working your way had little appeal to Hayes.

and that in the long run, how you got there (NHL) the roads you travelled, the sacrifices you made, are what (for many) gives you the raons to fight through in the Stanley Cup matches.

(did I re-write your thought or am I off base, 6628?)
- wiz1901

Right on Wiz

I have heard nothing specific on Toews..

But in the past the general comments were players were being asked to do too much. Last season in particular they cut down on the appearances during the regular season.

Toews has done a lot of heavy lifting, including anything that was asked last summer while Kane was in seclusion.
- Al

Think maybe he's been putting in even more work this offseason? I think he comes into this year in the best shape of his life.

Vesey and kids in his age group typically look up to Kane and try to model their style of play like his. I bet Vesey wants to be a Kane-type player, so it would make sense why they're sending him to meet with Vesey.
- Hank3Henshaw

Kane can also explain how life in Chicago is after growing up as a star in the New England area.

Kane can also explain how life in Chicago is after growing up as a star in the New England area.
- Assman22

Not to nitpick, but Buffalo is not at all considered New England, not even close

Keep in mind Toews has not done anything with the team this summer.

He has been on his own agenda for once and if he isn't going to the fan convention, missing the Vesey dog and pony show shouldn't be a shock.

Plus... not saying I wouldn't have brought Toews but for sure I would bring Kane.
East coast kid who is now a HOF player and has adopted Chicago as his home.
- Al

And an American superstar - the best American in the league, maybe ever. The guy who helped Panarin win the Calder. A guy who loves being on the ice and is fun to be around. A guy who has played well with the Captain, who will be on the phone. Sounds like a good sales team.

Not to nitpick, but Buffalo is not at all considered New England, not even close
- hawkeytalkman

It is close to Niagara Falls, St. Catherines, Erie, PA., and wineries in the finger lakes and Canada, but not the gateway to the West.

I love that their trade got them early talks but no final dog & pony show interview in the last couple.

Oh, that right...".Jimmy wanted to follow the process through" as he originally planned...

Not to nitpick, but Buffalo is not at all considered New England, not even close
- hawkeytalkman

But Harvard and the Bruins are.....

The thing about Hayes is he's really smart to not sign with the Hawks

His brother likely told him there would be little chance for him to work on his game at the NHL level and Kevin's career would go down the tubes if he got buried in Rockford

The Blackhawks organization is very good at scouting and reasonably good at drafting, but as far as player development, post Tallon, is sub-par

The only players Stan has drafted and made it to the NHL level have all but skipped the transition from minors to the big league.

So kudos to Kevin Hayes for playing his position into his favor. He could have been another Mark McNiel
- Fistafury17

Hayes would have played RW on the first and third lines last year and likely have made TT expendable for either Hamhuis or Drouin at the deadline. That much closer to a cup. I still think Kevin Hayes didn't like the Blackhawks trading his brother and decided playing on the east coast suited him more. The Blackhawks lost an asset when he left as a FA but it isn't the end of the world. I don't blame Hayes for making the choice he did but I don't think it was necessarily the best for his development or career. We will never really know.

Hey, I get it.

If I was offered my first teaching job in the SW, I would have had issues with leaving my mommy, my friends and my Blackhawks and my girlfriend b/c she had a job in Chicago.

Now we are not talking about the larger amount of money that ALL can pay, b/c if my teaching job in the SW was even a lot more money, and even the most prominent educators to learn from, and where the kids where super under control by the fear of them getting kicked out, I guess I would think long & hard, but probably would want sweet home Chicago.

But, athletics /team sports are quite the differnet situation and Jimmy can probably count on someday being traded unless he is a super star.

and how far is Boston's Logan International Airport from anywhere?

I still think Kevin Hayes didn't like the Blackhawks trading his brother and decided playing on the east coast suited him more. The Blackhawks lost an asset when he left as a FA but it isn't the end of the world. I don't blame Hayes for making the choice he did but I don't think it was necessarily the best for his development or career. We will never really know.
- matt_ahrens

I think the fact his brother was in a numbers game due to the terrific depth of the Hawks parent club hurt.

If Jimmy was a Hawk, he would have been a hawk.

did his hurt his development? Dunno.

just that Alain V. mad him cry before the first game because he thought the kid came in out of shape...and that is not made up.

Both do but yes...I added to other post but..

Having Kane as an East coast kid who now calls Chicago his home there also makes a point.
- Al

That latter point was an angle I hadn't thought of, so thanks. Having last season's MVP go is a no-brainer, but that similarity adds to the appeal.

It is close to Niagara Falls, St. Catherines, Erie, PA., and wineries in the finger lakes and Canada, but not the gateway to the West.

I love that their trade got them early talks but no final dog & pony show interview in the last couple.

Oh, that right...".Jimmy wanted to follow the process through" as he originally planned...
- wiz1901

So...talking to him this past weekend wasn't a final trip to the show? Gotcha

We'll never know for sure, but you make a lot of sense. There is a huge difference between the NHL and Ahl paychecks. But guys who tend to dodge a challenge to maximize a paycheck don't tend to be guys to count on to make a difference when they do have to face a challenge. So far, that makes sense too.
- 6628

Agree--- everyone wants to go to heaven-- but nobody wants to die--

In an age of ME first-- this type of action by Hayes epitomizes the fact that he considers himself more important than the team-- and from what has been reported Vesey is a significantly better PROSPECT than Hayes --

Somehow I sense Vesey is smarter-- regardless of his decision-- He has been upfront and communicative through his advisors--- which take consideration and thought-- respect--

Hey I have an idea--- put all the Boston brats on the same team-- so they can mirror their summer beer league foibles-- what a joke--

I think the fact his brother was in a numbers game due to the terrific depth of the Hawks parent club hurt.

If Jimmy was a Hawk, he would have been a hawk.

did his hurt his development? Dunno.

just that Alain V. mad him cry before the first game because he thought the kid came in out of shape...and that is not made up.
- wiz1901

Wonder if this bidding war will give Vesey a fat head syndrome? This has become a circus. The NHL world waits for the Vesey chronicles to come to its dramatic conclusion! Also read that the Islanders have sent Tavares to meet with Vesey during his Islanders visit.

Both do but yes...I added to other post but..

Having Kane as an East coast kid who now calls Chicago his home there also makes a point.
- Al

and Kane like Vesey are USA born players--- Kane on pace to possibly be the best USA player ever--- a significant accomplishment if achieved-- has to be impressive to any US player--

Vesey and kids in his age group typically look up to Kane and try to model their style of play like his. I bet Vesey wants to be a Kane-type player, so it would make sense why they're sending him to meet with Vesey.
- Hank3Henshaw

Kane should be able to convince him that it is better NOT to be near his hometown!

Think maybe he's been putting in even more work this offseason? I think he comes into this year in the best shape of his life.
- bhawks2241

Whether more or less than his usual program (except for duration), he is definitely putting in work. Has put out several videos of his workouts this summer. Keeps calling himself "out of shape," and while I'm sure for him it is not to his standards, most of us would kill to be that "out of shape."

https://www.instagram.com...F/?taken-by=jonathantoews
https://www.instagram.com...7A/?taken-by=onnitacademy
https://www.instagram.com...i/?taken-by=coachjohnwolf

and Kane like Vesey are USA born players--- Kane on pace to possibly be the best USA player ever--- a significant accomplishment if achieved-- has to be impressive to any US player--
- jb3333

Maybe he can tell him how much he enjoys Buffalo.

Kane should be able to convince him that it is better NOT to be near his hometown!
- stanleyhawk

YESS!!! and the traps that await in Buffalo for young rich athletes-- lucky for him his name isn't Jimmy Kane!