Kevin Hayes gives Q, Stan and the Hawks the big F-U one more time! How the impact of Q's treatment of Jimmy Hayes has come back to bite the Hawks now TWICE with NHL ready Power Forwards from College.....Q sympathizers at the ready. Imagine a 3rd line of Vesey-KHayes-JHayes....size and scoring ability....but Q knows best. At least StanBo re-signed Mashinter, Rosival and got over-the-hill goon Jordan Tootoo When do we start planning the parade?
- EnzoD

Oh the woes of being a Blackhawks fan.

So does this mean that Kevin Hayes has more pull than The Bowmans, Q, Kane, and Toews?
- roots_gamble

Agents, parents, other relatives - don't assume Kevin Hayes had that much influence on him.

And - it's "THE GARDEN" - don't underestimate the attraction of Broadway, especially for East Coasters.

Hah the Rangers... Nice pick Vesey (sarcasm). If he wanted to play with a buddy he should have stayed in Buffalo. I feel like the Rangers are right on the edge of needing a rebuild and their cup window has passed so Kudos to him on picking a team that will neither contend for a cup nor be getting any better before it gets worse. He will be stuck in limbo of playoff mediocrity...

While I of course am biased and think he should have picked Chicago, i will set that aside and say I cannot believe he would pick the Rangers over the Islanders or the Devils. Oh well... On to plan B or C or whatever plan StanBo is on. Hudler it is?!?

Oh the woes of being a Blackhawks fan.
- SimpleJack

You can mock me all you like, but the facts are there. If Q and Stan had held onto Jimmy Hayes for the rest of that season, Kevin signs with the Hawks, we have two big bodied players in the bottom six that have scored 20 goals in the NHL, AND Vesey likely signs here. It is what it is and Campbell/Kempny are very nice additions. Hawks couldnt score outside of Kane's line last year, and their forward group (as it stands today) is objectively inferior. So, ya, three Cups were amazing, but looking forward, the Hawks will have a very tough time finding goals.

Over under for the first Vesey healthy scratch / dust up with the coach:

I pick 18-Dec. Merry Christmas Jimmy!

Agents, parents, other relatives - don't assume Kevin Hayes had that much influence on him.

And - it's "THE GARDEN" - don't underestimate the attraction of Broadway, especially for East Coasters.
- StLBravesFan

It has been reported at multiple news outlets that the prospect of playing alongside Kevin Hayes, his childhood friend/teammate, was a huge factor in his decision. So, take that for what it's worth, and hopefully StanBo has another option at 1LW.

Agents, parents, other relatives - don't assume Kevin Hayes had that much influence on him.

And - it's "THE GARDEN" - don't underestimate the attraction of Broadway, especially for East Coasters.
- StLBravesFan

Couldnt pass up a chance to play on the annually worst rated ice sheet in the NHL? I get it

Seriously I know most complain about the UC ice but MSG is 10x worse, especially since its like 7 stories up

Hah the Rangers... Nice pick Vesey (sarcasm). If he wanted to play with a buddy he should have stayed in Buffalo. I feel like the Rangers are right on the edge of needing a rebuild and their cup window has passed so Kudos to him on picking a team that will neither contend for a cup nor be getting any better before it gets worse. He will be stuck in limbo of playoff mediocrity...

While I of course am biased and think he should have picked Chicago, i will set that aside and say I cannot believe he would pick the Rangers over the Islanders or the Devils. Oh well... On to plan B or C or whatever plan StanBo is on. Hudler it is?!?
- Frenchy4488

You do it in season because 1) you don't think you have a roster that can win, and, 2) you aren't over a barrel and can get more in return. Maybe pick up an expiring contract and still make the playoffs and improve five on five performance whileHoping Darling can step in and step up.
- matt_ahrens

1) If you don't think you have a roster that can win, better to let the kids play it out and conserve big moves to build a better team next year with all the information. 2) In season trades are often as 'over the barrel' as any other time when it comes to goalies because the market is rather limited (only 29 other starter jobs). Who even needs a goalie really besides Dallas?

Chicago's 5v5 performance should improve simply by the defense being better/more mobile since that's the first key to transition systems like what the Hawks run. There's just too many moving parts in the works to worry about moving out a big contract this season just for the sake of making room for something we don't know all the details about. The expansion draft alone will cause a ripple that will be hard to predict at this point.

On top of all that, the likihood of Crawford waiving his NMC in season is low. Off-season is just a better situation.

- rangerdanger94

I mean he's pretty much right. Vesey doesnt solve any of the major issues for the rangers. Namely the blue line and what lundqvist's decline will start to look like in the upcoming years because he looked god awful in the playoffs last year

It would have been nice to get a guy with his size/speed combo for basically nothing, but at least it's finally over. He seemed like a nice kid. Good luck Jimmy, just not against the Hawks.

Moving on ...

Just glad 'the Decision' is over. Have to give the kid and his agents credit a real dog and pony show. Who knows how he pans out - time will tell. And as several have mentioned the lure of NYC and the garden sure and playing with your best friend...

I feel for the Bruins fans getting jilted by the hometown kid.

Meanwhile Stan and Co. put all their eggs in the Vesey basket - let's hope they can move quickly to get Hudler, etc...

They haven't replaced the scoring they've lost in Shaw and Tevo. And personally still feel the Saad trade was a huge mistake on Bowman's part.

We'll see what Stan and the front office do here in the next few days.

I mean he's pretty much right. Vesey doesnt solve any of the major issues for the rangers. Namely the blue line and what lundqvist's decline will start to look like in the upcoming years because he looked god awful in the playoffs last year
- FourFeathers773

I have zero worry about Hank. And I think our defense will be fine. Staal and Girardi will improve. Skjei is a stud. McIlrath showed he can be reliable. And McDonagh is in the best shape of his life.

I think all the playoff hockey caught up to the defense and as a Hawks fan I'm sure you see the effect of it too. The Rangers have played the 2nd most playoff hockey than any other team the last 6 years behind the Hawks. The long summer will help a lot.

- rangerdanger94

Haaa, what a blunder! Oh man, what a mistake. Two years, it'll be... who?

Another reason to dislike the rangers...

1) If you don't think you have a roster that can win, better to let the kids play it out and conserve big moves to build a better team next year with all the information. 2) In season trades are often as 'over the barrel' as any other time when it comes to goalies because the market is rather limited (only 29 other starter jobs). Who even needs a goalie really besides Dallas?

Chicago's 5v5 performance should improve simply by the defense being better/more mobile since that's the first key to transition systems like what the Hawks run. There's just too many moving parts in the works to worry about moving out a big contract this season just for the sake of making room for something we don't know all the details about.

On top of all that, the likihood of Crawford waiving his NMC in season is low.
- L_B_R

1) that logic applies to Darling too.
2) You can wait a couple of months to make the move but earlier is always better. And injuries or underperforming can happen. I wonder about NYI.

3) we do know the Blackhawks are up against the cap, no waiting required to figure that one out.if it weren't for the cap, I'd wa t to keep him.

I have zero worry about Hank. And I think our defense will be fine. Staal and Girardi will improve. Skjei is a stud. McIlrath showed he can be reliable. And McDonagh is in the best shape of his life.

I think all the playoff hockey caught up to the defense and as a Hawks fan I'm sure you see the effect of it too. The Rangers have played the 2nd most playoff hockey than any other team the last 6 years behind the Hawks. The long summer will help a lot.
- rangerdanger94

So whats the excuse for AV? Too much playoff failure?

So whats the excuse for AV? Too much playoff failure?
- jb3333

He's one of the best coaches in the league. Getting all those teams deep in the playoffs is no fluke. Only 1 team can win every year and just because he hasn't been able to do it doesn't mean he's a bad coach.

You can mock me all you like, but the facts are there. If Q and Stan had held onto Jimmy Hayes for the rest of that season, Kevin signs with the Hawks, we have two big bodied players in the bottom six that have scored 20 goals in the NHL, AND Vesey likely signs here. It is what it is and Campbell/Kempny are very nice additions. Hawks couldnt score outside of Kane's line last year, and their forward group (as it stands today) is objectively inferior. So, ya, three Cups were amazing, but looking forward, the Hawks will have a very tough time finding goals.
- EnzoD

Neither one has scored 20 goals in the NHL.

To be honest, Jimmy Hayes was always frustrating during his time in the organization. It would have been nice to see Kevin Hayes play on the Hawks, but that apple doesn't seem to fall far from the Jimmy tree. Both brothers seem to be a little entitled.

It has been reported at multiple news outlets that the prospect of playing alongside Kevin Hayes, his childhood friend/teammate, was a huge factor in his decision. So, take that for what it's worth, and hopefully StanBo has another option at 1LW.
- EnzoD

Let's see:

TSN.ca? Nope
Hockey News? Uh-uh.

NY Times? Nothing yet

NY Daily News? Not there.

Which news outlets are you referencing? The twitterers who kept changing their predictions every 10 minutes?

Well, if the Hawks are looking for a LW, Raffi Torres is available.

RED FONT RED FONT!!!!

The Hawks are trying to exploit low cost resources because they can't afford to balance the team in terms of salary structure. SO, you get guys who come WAY cheaper than market (Campbell) or guys sorta on the edge of the league who can probably still play looking for a shot at a cup (Hudler, we hope) or guys looking to parlay a year or two in Chicago into a bigger payday (Panarin, Kempny-we hope).

But why would a player want to sign here only to know that if he does pan out on some level he'll either be traded or the Hawks will try to get him to work for below market value. The situation of the Hawks salary cap is well known, and rest assured the Harvard business major did the math. The fact the Hawks DID finish runner-up in this show tells me HOW impressive 19 and 88 were in their bargaining to get Vesey, because in reality the Hawks really could not offer him any true long term future in addition to it being the furthest team away from his home (a major reason he nixed Detroit who is CLOSER to Mass)...

In the end I believe players would LOVE to goto Chicago, but the dynamics are now at play that no long make it a good business decision for all players, to include Vesey.

It has been reported at multiple news outlets that the prospect of playing alongside Kevin Hayes, his childhood friend/teammate, was a huge factor in his decision. So, take that for what it's worth, and hopefully StanBo has another option at 1LW.
- EnzoD

Playong alongside Hayes is career suicide. Dude is a dumb lazy sack. I have friends who went to BC and knew him and a guy who works for me covered him while he was there.

Let's not be Rangers fans and put this kid in the Hall like when Hayes was signed. Rangers have a history of attracting top college talent. Anyone remember the legendary Matt Gilroy?

He's one of the best coaches in the league. Getting all those teams deep in the playoffs is no fluke. Only 1 team can win every year and just because he hasn't been able to do it doesn't mean he's a bad coach.
- rangerdanger94

AV is a good coach-- but not a closer--- can't win the big game-- I understand the Rangers played a lot of playoff games-- without a Cup--- that has to weigh heavy on that team psyche--- and Vesey is not a savior-- King Henryk is aging---

I have zero worry about Hank. And I think our defense will be fine. Staal and Girardi will improve. Skjei is a stud. McIlrath showed he can be reliable. And McDonagh is in the best shape of his life.

I think all the playoff hockey caught up to the defense and as a Hawks fan I'm sure you see the effect of it too. The Rangers have played the 2nd most playoff hockey than any other team the last 6 years behind the Hawks. The long summer will help a lot.
- rangerdanger94

No offense but I think that is asking for a lot of coin flips to come up heads. Namely no decline in hank as well as girardi and staal improving. Girardi especially I feel is just the player he is now at this point

The Hawks are trying to exploit low cost resources because they can't afford to balance the team in terms of salary structure. SO, you get guys who come WAY cheaper than market (Campbell) or guys sorta on the edge of the league who can probably still play looking for a shot at a cup (Hudler, we hope) or guys looking to parlay a year or two in Chicago into a bigger payday (Panarin, Kempny-we hope).

But why would a player want to sign here only to know that if he does pan out on some level he'll either be traded or the Hawks will try to get him to work for below market value. The situation of the Hawks salary cap is well known, and rest assured the Harvard business major did the math. The fact the Hawks DID finish runner-up in this show tells me HOW impressive 19 and 88 were in their bargaining to get Vesey, because in reality the Hawks really could not offer him any true long term future in addition to it being the furthest team away from his home (a major reason he nixed Detroit who is CLOSER to Mass)...

In the end I believe players would LOVE to goto Chicago, but the dynamics are now at play no long make it a good business decision for all players, to include Vesey.
- kwolf68

Cap limits the veteran UFAs that will sign here, your analysis on rookie UFAs has merit.

Time for the organization to (a) do a better job drafting, and/or (b) do a much better job developing in Rockford - or, if necessary, Chicago.