Kevin Hayes will NOT sign with CHI and will become UFA after Aug 15.

[Axeman33]

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-...st-free-agency

It's all but certain that former Chicago Blackhawks first-round pick Kevin Hayes is not going to sign with the club by the Aug. 15 deadline and will become an unrestricted free agent the following day. Hayes' agent told Scott Powers of ESPNChicago.com that his client will likely wait to sign his first NHL contract until Aug. 16.

More from ESPNChicago.com:

"We're likely going to wait until Aug. 16 and see where things are at that point," agent Robert Murray said. "It's absolutely nothing against the Blackhawks. We just feel this gives Kevin some options.

"This has been a difficult decision for Kevin. He's identified himself with the Blackhawks. He was drafted by them. His brother [Jimmy] played for them. But after his college career, he had a chance to step back and look at everything."

After the Blackhawks failed to sign Hayes after his senior season concluded at Boston College, it seemed less and less likely the club would be able to strike a deal with the 22-year-old they drafted 24th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Hayes enjoyed a stellar senior season at BC, finishing second in the country with 65 points.

Considering the Blackhawks' depth at both the NHL level and in the minors, there is a crowded field for Hayes to fight through. By not signing with the team, he gives himself the chance to find a more favorable situation for his NHL arrival timeline.

Once the clock strikes midnight on Aug. 16, Hayes will be able to negotiate with any of the 30 NHL teams that have interest in him. This is the path previously trodden by the likes of Blake Wheeler, currently of the Winnipeg Jets, and Justin Schultz of the Edmonton Oilers. Both are among the most notable players to avoid signing with the team that drafted them in search of greener pastures on the free agent market.

A team has four years to sign a player after his draft should he remain in college for that period of time. If they don't, the player can become a free agent. If Hayes does not sign with Chicago, the team would receive a compensatory second-round NHL Draft pick.

Multiple teams are reported to have interest in Hayes, who comes in at 6-foot-3 and 204 pounds. Drafted as a center, Hayes played primarily on the wing last season. He is only eligible to be signed to a maximum contract under the entry-level system, meaning Hayes' base salary cannot exceed $925,000, though he would be eligible to receive bonuses.

Among the teams with reported interest are the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche.

Hayes is an attractive free agent option for teams on a number of fronts. For clubs like the Rangers, Penguins and Bruins, their salary cap situation forces them to look at cheap options that could help the NHL roster as early as next season. All of those teams also are lacking depth at forward in their prospect systems currently. For the Avalanche, their prospect system is growing sparse and Hayes could fit into their plans as a young, affordable player with capability to bounce between the AHL and NHL.

There's also the belief that Hayes would draw interest from the Calgary Flames due to the fact that the club recently signed Hayes' linemates from BC, Hobey Baker winner Johnny Gaudreau and center Bill Arnold. Both were Flames draft picks as well, but are also close friends with Hayes.

Additionally, the Florida Panthers have been connected to Hayes as the club also has Kevin's older brother Jimmy Hayes on their NHL roster. Elliotte Friedman recently reported that the Panthers may not go after Hayes, though. They do have a rather full prospect system at the moment. The Panthers just avoided an arbitration hearing with Jimmy Hayes on Monday, having re-signed the big forward to a new one-year deal.

What Kevin Hayes has now is options. He could pick a team that offers him the best deal or he could go wherever has space for him to compete for a spot on the NHL roster next season. Either way, after his 27-goal, 65-point performance last season, a lot of teams would be happy to add Hayes to see what he can do at the next level.

[The Bottlenecker]

Calgary would be a great fit for him.

[Axeman33]

Calgary would be a great fit for him.

A lot of people said the same thing about Corban Knight, and he signed there. Really hasn't got the shot I think he expected he would.

[Carcillo]

His cousin is assistant GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Just saying...

[rataylor22]

A lot of people said the same thing about Corban Knight, and he signed there. Really hasn't got the shot I think he expected he would.

He's only been in Calgary for a year...

[Axeman33]

He's only been in Calgary for a year...

I understand that. My point is when he signed in Calgary, he probably went there because he thought it was his best chance to play in the league sooner rather than later. It wasn't the case as he spent the better part of the season in the AHL. It's hard to say what was discussed when he signed in Calgary, but you have to think that when a kid decides not to sign with the team that drafted him and he chooses to become a FA, he is signing where he thinks the best fit is. I wonder if he still thinks Calgary is the best fit for him in hind sight.

Same will go for Kevin Hayes. He will now get to decide where he thinks the best fit is for him. I replied with Corban Knights name after The Bottlenecker mentioned Calgary.

[Fast Tony DeNiro]

I really don't see why Hayes is in such a hurry to get away from Chicago. He's probably not stepping into top 6 NHL minutes right away, but he's probably their most NHL ready prospect. He would see time with the Hawks this season, and with the Kane and Toews contracts starting in 2015-16, he'd be a full-timer at that point very likely in the top 6.

I'm not sure what team is going to offer him a better situation.

[Axeman33]

Good fits for him?

In no particular order, some options worth considering:

Arizona
Carolina
Winnipeg
Vancouver

It's too bad the kid's a winger and not a center. I'd be yelling at MacT to throw it all at him (all the ELC will bring) to bring him in.

[rataylor22]

I understand that. My point is when he signed in Calgary, he probably went there because he thought it was his best chance to play in the league sooner rather than later. It wasn't the case as he spent the better part of the season in the AHL. It's hard to say what was discussed when he signed in Calgary, but you have to think that when a kid decides not to sign with the team that drafted him and he chooses to become a FA, he is signing where he thinks the best fit is. I wonder if he still thinks Calgary is the best fit for him in hind sight.

Same will go for Kevin Hayes. He will now get to decide where he thinks the best fit is for him. I replied with Corban Knights name after The Bottlenecker mentioned Calgary.

Hayes and Knight are kind've different situations. Corban Knight is from Calgary and his family lives here. From what I understand, that played a much larger part in him deciding to come back/sign with Calgary than ice time or pretty much any factor. Obviously he wants to play in the NHL and Calgary presents a good opportunity at that for young kids, but his family was a big part of it.

Kevin Hayes and Calgary have been mentioned/connected a lot because both Bill Arnold and Johnny Gaudreau, his line mates from Boston College, play here. I think the top team in the running is Florida because of his brother, and then maybe Pittsburgh or Calgary.

[keytolife]

Come on Jimmy bring your brother to Sunrise!

[Magicstew]

This is a guy the JETS should be going after, and a team that he should look at for opportunity. Little financial risk because of entry contract, and he can play himself onto a developing young team.
Somebody get CHEVY his #.

[Zorro]

I know nothing about this guy besides the fact that he is 22, played well a a 21 year old in college, and wants to get paid..

What more should I know?? Does anybody have any idea how good this kid will be??

[rataylor22]

This is a guy the JETS should be going after, and a team that he should look at for opportunity. Little financial risk because of entry contract, and he can play himself onto a developing young team.
Somebody get CHEVY his #.

Try again tomorrow, he took a pass on being GM today. Flex day. Tomorrow and next week he's on holidays.

[Savvy1982]

I know nothing about this guy besides the fact that he is 22, played well a a 21 year old in college, and wants to get paid..

What more should I know?? Does anybody have any idea how good this kid will be??

Very curious about this too.

Is he the next Matt Read?

More talent? Less???

[petegreg21]

I know nothing about this guy besides the fact that he is 22, played well a a 21 year old in college, and wants to get paid..

What more should I know?? Does anybody have any idea how good this kid will be??

Better than his brother IMO. He looked strong at the WC in a bottom 6 role as well.