You can believe anything you want, but that doesn't make it true.
Do you know Stan personally?...Do you know someone who knows Stan personally?...What arrogance are you talking about?

Jimmy had every opportunity to impress, and Kevin made his own decision. If Kevin was upset because Jimmy didn't get his ass kissed enough they can both kiss mine...

...good riddance, and please move on. This subject is dead...
- ArlingtonRob

If only.

I disagree, and the highlighted point is why.

It's that saying of "there is no 'I' in team." In order to maintain a winning franchise, the team comes before the individual wants of a single player. To handle Jimmy with "kid gloves," the Hawks would have had to hand him a roster spot - to a player that had not earned a full time slot yet.

However, would that have been enough to satisfy Jimmy? Do you play him 82 games if that satisfies him to convince Kevin to sign? Is that even enough?

And what about handling Pirri, Morin, et al with kid gloves as well? I wouldn't doubt that they had some opinion in the matter.

If you just hand those guys roster spots, do you believe that the Hawks would have gone as deep, or deeper in the playoffs last season?

Beyond that, what message do you send to veterans around the league when it does come time to sign free agents? Vets who can lose their roster spots on a whim to a kid, based solely on entitlement at the time, rather than earning that spot the right way - by earning that roster spot in the first place. Does that aid in attracting player who are willing to come here on the cheap for a shot to win?

Is that the definition of maintaining a "winning" culture within the organization?

And if Kevin is willing to test the free agent market based on the opinion of his brother than signing in Chicago, or just because he wanted a fast track to the NHL, or both - does that fit the attitude of team, or is that Kevin looking out for #1?

If your team is in the business of "winning," mommy-coddling prospects is not part of the business model.

Granted, no one here wanted Hayes to just walk (at the time). However, the Hawks will be just fine without him too.
- EKolb13

...and this too.

Well said Eli.

And let me add...Johns could have signed elsewhere...didn't
Paliotta could have signed elsewhere...didn't.
Baun could have signed elsewhere...didn't.

Now add Panarin to those who could have jilted Stan...and didn't.

The Hayes brothers exhaust me...enough already.

...and this too.

Well said Eli.

And let me add...Johns could have signed elsewhere...didn't
Paliotta could have signed elsewhere...didn't.
Baun could have signed elsewhere...didn't.

Now add Panarin to those who could have jilted Stan...and didn't.

The Hayes brothers exhaust me...enough already.
- ArlingtonRob

TVR and Kero too. Both were highly sought after.

TVR and Kero too. Both were highly sought after.
- Elbows15

Yep...keep adding to the list...I was just riffin' so my list was far from complete.

Too bad Stan's arrogance prevents the Hawks from finding talent.

Yep...keep adding to the list...I was just riffin' so my list was far from complete.


- ArlingtonRobToo bad Stan's arrogance prevents the Hawks from finding talent.

Your arrogance regarding Stan's arrogance is duly noted

Your arrogance regarding Stan's arrogance is duly noted
- Ogilthorpe2

Thank you Captain Obvious.

Yep...keep adding to the list...I was just riffin' so my list was far from complete.


- ArlingtonRobToo bad Stan's arrogance prevents the Hawks from finding talent.

Good thing Toews re-signed with Hawks after they let David go. Sweated that one out.

Good thing Toews re-signed with Hawks after they let David go. Sweated that one out.
- Elbows15

Dodged a bullet there. Good thing Seabrook 2.0 is still part if the Orginization.

Don't think the Hawks can beat them? Have some faith brother.
- Elbows15

why start now....

Read carefully please. I said " I hope this is not going to haunt us like the Esposito trade. " Hey , there is no doubt their agent set us up....but I still believe Stan's arrogance also got in the way. Enough said... Go Hawks tomorrow night!
- spanky

You are comparing the Hayes trade to a trade involving a Hall of Famer. You sound like most Rangers fans who have basically put Hayes in the HOF.

Good piece today in the Star Tribune from Russo on Kane and Parise.

...and this too.

Well said Eli.

And let me add...Johns could have signed elsewhere...didn't
Paliotta could have signed elsewhere...didn't.
Baun could have signed elsewhere...didn't.

Now add Panarin to those who could have jilted Stan...and didn't.

The Hayes brothers exhaust me...enough already.
- ArlingtonRob

Add to the list: Raanta

Kevin Hayes is a better player than Jimmy hayes. both score goals. One can play 2-way hockey, the other not so much, both are spoiled kids from Boston with a sense of entitlement. Neither is an all-star.

I want kids on my team whose output vastly exceeds their demands: Toews, Danault, Hossa, Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Kruger. I will build a championship club with them and keep it for a long time.

Stan is arrogant? Proof?
- Ogilthorpe2

"I am not worried about offer sheets............" day or two after cup win in 2010 and then......wait for it.................Hammer gets an offer sheet.

Add to the list: Raanta

Kevin Hayes is a better player than Jimmy hayes. both score goals. One can play 2-way hockey, the other not so much, both are spoiled kids from Boston with a sense of entitlement. Neither is an all-star.

I want kids on my team whose output vastly exceeds their demands: Toews, Danault, Hossa, Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Kruger. I will build a championship club with them and keep it for a long time.
- John Jaeckel

But to blast this kid for taking advantage of the system to get the best deal he could get for himself - working within the system - the American way, the American Dream - is absurd.

Not that it matters much, but I don't buy into any of that horse bleep. I'd rather the Wild be the underdogs to be honest. Besides a pretty impressive half season, I'm really not sure why any average or avid Wild fan would think we've earned the right to be feared and respected anyway.

Although this team does have a bit of a different feel to it this season I must say, but they still haven't proven anything except getting out of the 1st round.

Whatevs, I like the direction Fletcher and Yeo have brought the team in and am just happy that the Wild can finally face the Hawks with a healthy post-season roster for once!

- MnGump

Gump, get out of here with your objectivity and enlightened commentary.

The Wild have earned something. They knocked off the "titular" favorites and #2 conference seed in six games. they were the best teram in hockey down the stretch.

But everyone knows, and they do, they really have to win this series to be considered a legit elite team with Cup potential.

I'm not saying they can't at all.

But all this "you're disrespecting/underestimating our guys" is bull, to your point, until they've really earned it.

I mean, throw out the regular season records, fine. I still maintain, as far as match ups, Q holds more of the cards than Yeo does. I will also concede that Rozsival and Timonen are the achilles heel for Chicago.

If Crawford plays like he can (and has) in most playoff series, it is a great equalizer there. Just as Dubnyk can be if the Hawks can maintain o-zone pressure and put 45 shots on net and have Corsi through the roof.

I really think this series comes down to:

1) Whether Minnesota, like Nashville can get out to early leads
2) and therefore, how well the Chicago goalies play
3) how much sustained o-zone pressure the Hawks can maintain

But to blast this kid for taking advantage of the system to get the best deal he could get for himself - the American way, the American Dream - is absurd.
- StLBravesFan

Free country.

Not gonna blast him. I just think ultimately good riddance. I think the Hawks smelled bad character and stood their ground.

Add to the list: Raanta

Kevin Hayes is a better player than Jimmy hayes. both score goals. One can play 2-way hockey, the other not so much, both are spoiled kids from Boston with a sense of entitlement. Neither is an all-star.

I want kids on my team whose output vastly exceeds their demands: Toews, Danault, Hossa, Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Kruger. I will build a championship club with them and keep it for a long time.
- John Jaeckel

Why is Kevin Hayes deemed a spoiled rich kid from Boston? Because he realized he was probably the more NHL READY prospect in the hawks system yet the Hawks were pimping Teuvo non stop? So the kid says screw it, and signs with the Rangers? And gasp........arguably has a better chance at winning the cup?

Isn't Hayes proving his output exceeds his demands?

Fact is the Hawks have NOBODY in their system who is as big or as skilled as Hayes. He would have been the PERFECT replacement for that pile of crap who wears #29.

Again.....it's all speculation as the only people who know for sure why Hayes didnt' sign here are Hayes AND Bowman. I give Bowman credit for flying the kid in during the western conference final last year trying to get his deal done. Maybe it was NEVER going to happen based on Jimmy being traded but I am just tired of the hatred for this kid. he's going to be a decent if not pretty good NHL player who has some size, and skill.

But to blast this kid for taking advantage of the system to get the best deal he could get for himself - working within the system - the American way, the American Dream - is absurd.
- StLBravesFan

Yeah I am just sick of the hatred for him since he didn't play here. Tough crap. It is what it is....

How Hayes any more spoiled then say a Versteeg who was going to demand a trade back in 2008 if the Hawks didn't recall him OR Hammer who's girlfriend was a MODEL and could back to Sweden to play at a professional level? Are those 2 guys spoiled jerks who shouldn't have been part of this team?

And what about Mr. Teravanien who came over here last year only when promised he would get a shot at the NHL...

Good for Kevin hayes, bad for the Hawks. Even worse is that Bowman took that pick he got back in compensation and turned it into Timonen who should be sitting next to Sopel breaking down footage postgame.

Yeah I am just sick of the hatred for him since he didn't play here. Tough crap. It is what it is....

How Hayes any more spoiled then say a Versteeg who was going to demand a trade back in 2008 if the Hawks didn't recall him OR Hammer who's girlfriend was a MODEL and could back to Sweden to play at a professional level? Are those 2 guys spoiled jerks who shouldn't have been part of this team?

And what about Mr. Teravanien who came over here last year only when promised he would get a shot at the NHL...

Good for Kevin hayes, bad for the Hawks. Even worse is that Bowman took that pick he got back in compensation and turned it into Timonen who should be sitting next to Sopel breaking down footage postgame.
- SteveRain

Bowman didn't trade the Hayes pick, he traded the Blackhawks 2nd round pick.

Why is Kevin Hayes deemed a spoiled rich kid from Boston? Because he realized he was probably the more NHL READY prospect in the hawks system yet the Hawks were pimping Teuvo non stop? So the kid says screw it, and signs with the Rangers? And gasp........arguably has a better chance at winning the cup?

Isn't Hayes proving his output exceeds his demands?

Fact is the Hawks have NOBODY in their system who is as big or as skilled as Hayes. He would have been the PERFECT replacement for that pile of crap who wears #29.

Again.....it's all speculation as the only people who know for sure why Hayes didnt' sign here are Hayes AND Bowman. I give Bowman credit for flying the kid in during the western conference final last year trying to get his deal done. Maybe it was NEVER going to happen based on Jimmy being traded but I am just tired of the hatred for this kid. he's going to be a decent if not pretty good NHL player who has some size, and skill.
- SteveRain

I have no idea what's in Daddy's bank account, but the behaviors of he and his brother, both reported and otherwise, indicate spoiled.

This guy looks like a sniper.....

My exact thoughts. He gets the puck, and he's not looking to pass, but to finish.

Like the fact these foreign born guys see opportunity with the Hawks. I'm starting to feel better about the rebuild on the fly next year.

Free country.

Not gonna blast him. I just think ultimately good riddance. I think the Hawks smelled bad character and stood their ground.
- John Jaeckel

Perhaps he didn't want to work for a roster spot, possibly starting from Rockford first. Obviously the Rangers have a real good team, but maybe he saw an opening there that didn't exist on the Hawks.

Either way, good riddance. Next man up.

Yeah I am just sick of the hatred for him since he didn't play here. Tough crap. It is what it is....

How Hayes any more spoiled then say a Versteeg who was going to demand a trade back in 2008 if the Hawks didn't recall him OR Hammer who's girlfriend was a MODEL and could back to Sweden to play at a professional level? Are those 2 guys spoiled jerks who shouldn't have been part of this team?

And what about Mr. Teravanien who came over here last year only when promised he would get a shot at the NHL...

Good for Kevin hayes, bad for the Hawks. Even worse is that Bowman took that pick he got back in compensation and turned it into Timonen who should be sitting next to Sopel breaking down footage postgame.
- SteveRain

I think you CAN blame the Hawks for not recognizing some of the potential issues when dropping a first round pick and trading a second rounder on these guys.

I guess the TT and Versteeg comparisons are fair. Hammer? Ha, not buying that at all.

Agreed though that the Hawks lack legit PF's in their system. But I think you are overlooking at least John Hayden.

But even though it's an organizational need, I don't think that forces you to pander to a spoiled kid's demands. And I do think he's a spoiled kid. The Hawks by that point, knew more about him than anyone.

Remember a Rangers fan saying that Hayes was not guaranteed a roster spot originally and he only got in the lineup in the beginning of the year because of injury and then so on. It's pretty obvious that this kid only wanted to go to NYC and wasn't interested in Chicago. NYC is only about 4 hours from Boston. Makes perfect sense in his standpoint.

Bowman didn't trade the Hayes pick, he traded the Blackhawks 2nd round pick.
- BearsnHawks

So he saved a few spots......

Tbanks for clarifying that.