Are You Jimmy Hayes? Who Wants to Know?
Tyler J. Cameron | Mar 15, 2013 | Comments 16
The Blackhawks beat the BJs at Nationwide Arena or should I say the Penn ATP Arena 2-1 in a SO Thursday night. I swore I was watching Federer vs. Nadal battling it out on some clay out there. The game tonight was not enjoyable for this fellow blogger and one of the worst I’ve seen in a while. The puck was on edge for the majority of the night and despite the exceptional excitement the Columbus Blue Jackets announcers showed throughout the game, it was not as OUTSTANDING as they made it out to be. However, the Hawks should be used to playing on ice of this caliber as the United Center isn’t much better.
Enough of the game as a whole, I wanted to pump out a quick piece to get a rapid reaction on recent call up Jimmy Hayes. Before I go on, I know it’s just one game and the expectations should not be high as Jimmy fights through some nerves. Over and above that I want to look into the move itself by Mr. Bowman.
First off, Hayes looked as confused as 90% of people at the self checkout at Wal-Mart for most of the night. It is easy to look out of place playing alongside one of the hottest players in the game today in Kane. Hayes did try to use his size out front of the net, down low and even chipped in with a couple hits. Actually, in over 15 minutes of play he was only credited with one hit (i’d give you 2 Jimmy) along with a couple of shots.
The Hawks won and either way Hayes wouldn’t have been a make or break player in this game. To me, I just get a little tiresome of videos like –> this <–
Now don’t get me wrong, I have no issue with Hayes. I think, although his skating is suspect (especially trying to keep up with Kane) he is an interesting prospect. The problem is, something needs to give because he’s 23 and someone needs to determine what kind of player Jimmy is going to be.
The Hawks have tried him at centre, which speaks volumes because he is clearly not a middle-man. His trial there was not pretty in Rockford and the fact that Bowman says he’s capable of wing OR centre in the NHL has to be an inside joke.
So, Hayes’ play in Rockford (on the wing) has earned him spot duty as Patrick Sharp for a while, I was personally hoping to see 2 others before the 6’6 American:
- Jeremy Morin
- Ben Smith
I’m not going to hide that I’m a Ben Smith fan; he’s a winner and I love his game. Is he perfect? Nope. Is he on a one-way deal next year that the Blackhawks committed to already? Yep! I would think he would get a look sooner than later to see where he’s at in his progression. I mean, c’mon… how can you not give this kid a chance after this?
Jeremy Morin, who has had injury trouble like Smith has seemed to find his game again. He is tied for first in goals (22) in Rockford with the recent call up Hayes but, at 5 inches shorter and 20 lbs lighter plays a more physical game.
He’s a natural LW and it would have been a perfect opportunity to throw him into the fire. Hayes had a little more exposure last year so why not see what you have in Morin.
It’s maybe that management have already decided what they have in Ben Smith, Jeremy Morin and while we’re at it Brandon Pirri (the black sheep of the fam) that keep Jimmy Hayes on their My-5.
If that is the case, the question then becomes, why hold on to them Stan? The deadline is coming up and it’s time to make some big boy decisions about your prospects.
Ty’s Tidbits
~ Now, you know I couldn’t leave you hangin’ with that title:
Ty Cam out!
(@tycam)
Filed Under: Chicago Blackhawks
Morin wore 27 for the Hawks last year unclassy move
Unclassy move by the organization because young players (unless your called Kane or Toews) rarely get to pick their own numbers. They get called up and there is a jersey for them in their locker.
Johnny Oduya on the other hand. Haha.
You don’t have to worry abut Morin. He can’t skate fast enough to keep up on the left side on the Bolland/Kane line.
I’d look for Smith to get the next call up, after Hayes is done giving his audition.
Really Eli? I’ll take your word as you’ve seen him more than I have lately.
I would think anyone would be quicker than Hayes. One thing Jimmy does have is that incredible reach which allows him to be 8 feet away from the puck and still get his paws on it.
As a Kitchener Ranger fan, you know what my thoughts will be on Morin. Stan Bowman has been one of the better GMs in the league over the last few years (See signing all of his pillar pieces while raking in great prospects during the post-cup exodus), but the recent prospect shuffling is tough for me to understand.
Morin is a guy who needs confidence to succeed, and the Toews/Kanes of the world need guys with the same hockey IQ playing with them. Morin is a scorer and guy that will hang with talented players if given the chance. The Hawks have plenty of grit in the lineup, I think Morin the X-factor out the group mentioned above. But who knows, Stan Bowman can do what he wants. It’s his life.
It’s funny because you’d think Bowman would want to show the hockey world that his trade that sent the 275lb elite d-man in Dustin Byfuglien the other way for Morin was of some value.
Because I don’t see Joey Crabb or Marty Reasoner around (the other players acquired for Big Buff n Co.). He did however get 2 draft picks (KEVIN Hayes and Justin Holl) who still could be players.
Regardless, #freejeremymorin
Haha! Great title!
Awesome read. Hayes did look as confused as the people in the Wal-Mart self check out but not nearly as drunk or naked. http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/
So he has that.
Keep em coming! :)
Actually, Hayes has been centering for Morin for two months and the two have been on fire. Hayes had 16 goals and 24 points over his previous 24 games and Morin 8 goals and 19 points over his previous 14. That doesn’t mean Hayes can excel at center in the NHL, but he has in Rockford recently.
Hayes had one really strong shift along the boards last night and screened Bobrovsky on Oduya’s goal. Still, I’d like to see Morin get a shot.
My bad. When I watched him & the last reports I heard was a failed experiment with Hayes @ Center.
Yeah, Morin’s due for sure. Over at JJ’s blog, he mentioned Hayes is being showcased right now. Makes sense, you can take chances like that with a record the Hawks are sporting these days.
Cam, there is more to determining as to how good a hockey player is or isn’t than point totals and a score sheet. You can say that Hayes has excelled based on the score sheet, and that’s all fine and dandy. Problem is, the AHL scoresheet doesn’t reflect how Hayes does at the dot. From the games I have seen (and I attend plenty of games in Rockford), I can’t remember the last time Hayes actually won a faceoff. Also, I’ve seen enough of Hayes’ skating, decision making and defensive acumen (or lack thereof), and I can tell that he doesn’t have the makings to play the position.
It’s not a bad thing that Hayes has gotten a shot to play center in Rockford. That’s Hayes and the organization trying to find other ways to possibly fit in the organization, or possibly another way for the organization to get trade value out of Hayes.
I’d suggest Hayes skates better than Marcus Kruger and at least as well as Dave Bolland. Faceoffs are a different issue.
My point is he has produced extremely well and even been rewarded with PK time at Rockford. I’m not suggesting he’s a future center in Chicago. Danault’s next in line for that position, in my opinion.
BTW, Morin had two more goals Friday and now has 7 in 5 games this month.
I would politely disagree with you on Hayes skating better or equal to #16 & #36.
Dave Bolland has been an elite shutdown centre in the NHL skating alongside opponents TOP centre. Put Jimmy Hayes there for a shift and see what that looks like.
Marcus Kruger is quicker than he looks but no he’s not a speed demon out there. The difference is, Kruger is in a completely different grade from a hockey IQ stance and knows how to get himself in position to not let any hindrance in his speed affect his play.
Maybe you were referring to skating style? I’m not sure but Hayes can barely stand up on his skates and the others have been skating around NHLer’s for years now.
RE: Danault – huge fan and his arrival cannot come soon enough IMO.
RE: Morin – I saw that… no call up make Jeremy ANGRY!!!
If you’re suggesting that Hayes skates better than Kruger and at least as well as Bolland, then I ask what you’re smoking. It must be good, and you should share.
He may not skate as well in confined spaces, but straightaway speed in open ice, it’s not close.
Boys – I’m getting radar gun dusted off for tonight’s game. Cam, I’m with Eli on this one.
Kruger, maybe close because Hayes has a huge stride but with Bolland it’s not evn remotely close man:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg1RXqp-GpE <- I saw this goal live… guy is faster than he looks. Jimmy Hayes would not even have come close to breaking away like that.
Get Hayes in a breakaway like that and you’ll see he can move. His straight line speed with a head of steam is good. It’s the stops and starts in small spaces where he struggles.