Kevin Hayes will NOT sign with CHI and will become a FA

[Axeman33]

http://thebostoncollegehockeyblog.blogspot.ca/

Now onto my least favorite topic of the year. Early departures. As you already know, Johnny G has forgone his senior year and will play for the Flames this Sunday vs Vancouver. Billy Arnold also signed with Calgary and is expected to play Sunday. Here's what else you should know.

Patrick Brown has signed with Carolina. Congrats !

Kevin Hayes will NOT sign with the Chicago Blackhawks because of issues steaming from the departure of his brother Jimmy. Imagine if he signs with Calgary and the big line is back together.

Michael Matheson has not made a decision and will not make one for some time, according to a source.

I'll get more into this later but expect Miles Wood to be accelerated due to the fact that Johnny is not coming back. He, like G, is a left wing.

Go Eagles.

I assume he is more interested in finding a team where he can be closer to getting NHL time and right now, I don't think Chicago is that team. Just an assumption on my part but that would make sense.

[dodospice]

I assume that's the case as well, he's earned the right to become a free agent and explore his options if that's what he chooses.

[ericdaoust]

The only reason would be to find a team more quickly because Chicago has actually been a good destination for forwards with size.

[Dobber]

Good move. As a prospect, I would want the hell out of Chicago's system. I'd want to play at some point in the next decade #logjam


But that being said, I wonder if it's related to the team trading his brother to Florida? I mean - now if he chooses he can sign with Florida as well.

[Axeman33]

Good move. As a prospect, I would want the hell out of Chicago's system. I'd want to play at some point in the next decade #logjam


But that being said, I wonder if it's related to the team trading his brother to Florida? I mean - now if he chooses he can sign with Florida as well.

Its funny, I was wondering the same thing when it came to his brother as well. As I say, I am simply speculating when it comes to him jumping ship simply due to lack of opportunities but I can see both being a reason for his choice.

[The Hockey Hitman]

Wow...should bigger news than it is. Hayes has second line forward written all over him. Would LOVE TB to sign him...one can hope.

[Daydream Nation]

Hayes had said that there was no bad blood about his brother being traded.

Good move for him since he can get to the NHL faster with a team with less depth than the Blackhawks.

[HockeyHobo]

He has the size to satisfy Burkes requirements and the Flames are light on RW prospects,so there could be an interesting fit there. I don't see the idea of reuniting the BC line as a reason to sign him, different ball game in the pro's to college.

[Bender]

Bringing this sucker back instead of starting a new one. In a bubble since we don't know where he will land, what kind of upside points wise do you see for him?

[theIceWookie]

He has the size to satisfy Burkes requirements and the Flames are light on RW prospects,so there could be an interesting fit there. I don't see the idea of reuniting the BC line as a reason to sign him, different ball game in the pro's to college.

Flames and Florida have to be the front runner's IMO.

Both team's are young team and in the midst of a rebuild, which gives Hayes lots of opportunity to make the roster but also gives him the benefit of being able to make rookie mistakes.

Both team's have a distinct lack of RW's in their respective systems.

And both team's have reasonable ties to him through certain players in their system. He has his two linemates from college already Flames prospects, and it's quite likely that they are good friends. And in Florida, it's his big brother.

His biggest issue is skating. He worked on it a lot before this past season and it certainly showed. He's an intriguing prospect.