2013 NHL Draft: Chicago Blackhawks Select C John Hayden
With the 74th overall selection in the 2013 NHL Draft, acquired from Winnipeg for Michael Frolik, the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks selected center John Hayden.
Hayden, listed at 6-2 and 220 pounds, was named MVP of Team East at the 2013 USHL Top Prospects Game. He finished tied for second on the Under-18 U.S. National Team with four game-winning goals and posted 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in 45 games.
He is headed to play at Yale this fall, and scored two points (one goal, one assist) to help Team USA capture a silver medal at the 2013 Under-18 World Championship. He also won silver with Team USA at the 2012 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge.
The Blackhawks’ site cited a few scouting reports on their draft picks. Here’s what they had to say about Hayden:
Red Line Report: “Big bull likes the physical aspect of the game. Hits hard along the walls and drives through his checks. Dominates down low in the offensive corners, winning the 1-on-1 puck battles and making power moves to the crease. Has soft hands for such a horse, and uses his [size] effectively to gain and hold position around the slot, keeping defenders off his back. Also uses big body and long reach to protect the puck when cycling. But he is playing a bit too heavy and it’s affecting his skating, which was never his strong suit. Lacks both first step burst and a top-end gear. Feet are very heavy and he does not stop/start quickly. He is tough to move off the puck and uses twists/spins in tight areas to gain separation. Provides good puck support and has good hockey sense in all three zones. Understands defensive zone positioning and sells out his body to clear zone along the boards.”
Hockey Prospectus: “Hayden is a power forward who drew attention this year due to the solid amount of offensive skill he displayed, along with his power elements. He already has the body of an NHLer, as he is 6’2″ and 210 pounds, and he uses his frame well. He is a tough player who will drive the net, shoulder off checks, and grind it out for pucks in board battles. His offensive touch with the puck is intriguing. Hayden will not blow anyone away with a flashy move or highlight reel pass, but he can flash above-average potential, and he has some creativity to his game. He is not selfish, as he can make plays. His power elements, combined with the fact that he can make a man miss, make him a desirable prospect. His skating is roughly average; while he is not lumbering, he is not a player will blow past a defenseman. One scout thinks that he is average skater, and another thinks he needs some work in that area. He will be attending Yale University in the fall.”
TheScoutingReport.org: “Stocky Yale commit brings an intriguing combination of size and skill. Excellent cycle based forward who keeps his feet moving and is difficult for the opposition to contain due to his large stature. At his best below the hashmarks, Hayden is willing to stand in front of the net and sacrifice his body in a physically punishing scoring area. Skating needs to improve for him to make an impact at the pro level. We see Hayden having a real chance one day as his competitiveness should allow him to play a number of different roles.”
Also from the Hawks’ site:
Big man with an offensive streak recovered from early-season shoulder surgery to put up 31 points (16G, 15A) in 51 total games for the USNTDP this season. The Connecticut native will join reigning NCAA champs Yale this fall.
“Big power forward, strong, with a lot of character,” said Amateur Scout Mike Doneghey. “His skating still needs to come a little bit, but it’s not that far off. He’s a big player that we could use on the wings, and he can create space for a lot of the skill guys.”
hawks signed Bickell
Heard 3 years. How much per? Anyone?
It’s 4 years, Pete
Ok great. Did you hear how much per year? Bowman’s on a roll
No figures as of yet
16/4.
Probably over-payment but not enough to induce JS rage. Hawks need some size and he provides that. Here is to hoping he can play top 6 minutes, but I definitely see him dropping back to the third line.
Why wouldn’t he stay on line 1 with Kane and Toews. He came up absolutely huge for the Hawks in the playoffs. We had to keep him if at all possible. I was hoping for less as he had stated he would give the Hawks a discount, but he played great even though he was hurt.
Bickell deal counts $4 M against the cap for 4 years. Expensive, but he would have pulled down more coin on the open market. Its up to Bickell now to live up to that contract. A lot of faith has been invested. Good move I think.
breaks down 3, 4, 4.5, 4.5. Seems like a lot, but I’ll trust Stan.
$16mm for 4 years is more than I thought they would pay. Now I see why they had to let Frolik go as well cause his trade was no where near as good for us as Bolland’s. But if the difference was $500 or $600K in keeping or losing Bickell, ihe is worth the dough. Bickell is now under some pressure to perform at a high level game in and game out.
BTW capgeek is quick
Well first of all, I would imagine they go back to splitting Kane and Toews in the regular season.
Second of all, he’s had one decent season in his career and was on pace for less than 20 goals in a full season.
Good chance it was a break out year and he found his game… also a good chance he was motivated to play for a payday and will focus on chicken wing eating contests with Byfuglien.
Very pessimistic JS. When you come up huge in the playoffs in all 4 series how can that be a fluke.
Well, back to the John Hayden pick, this is another solid selection by Bowman…if Hayden is given 2-3 to work on his skating, and the Hawks style of play, he should become a solid NHL centre, and could project to a big, strong, 2 way, 2nd line centre.
Good work Stan.
The NHL Central Scouting had Hayden as the #29 overall prospect this year…
Bickell could very easily get bumped back down to the 3rd line, as we also have Kane, Hossa, Sharp, and Saad at wing. Either Saad or Bickell will have to be a very good 3rd liner.
Any way you slice it the Hawks retained 3 legit talented LW with Bickell, Sharp and Saad. If only 1 of the minor league Centers “pan out” as a 2nd line center the Hawks will be in great shape to defend the cup( Danult, Pirri and McNeil). I also wonder if Stan signs ANY FA this offseason.
To be able to expand and keep our core for a long time, the only way that Bowman can afford this is to “shop” in Rockford…so Bowman’s plan since taking over has finally come to fruition with this offseason…he took a huge chance by not addressing the 2nd line centre situation at the deadline by only getting Handzus, but it worked out…all this was designed NOT to pressure Brandon Pirri…they let him develop in Rockford, where he led the entire league in scoring, and now he will be given a shot as the 2nd line centre. Smith, Morin and Hayes will be brought in to complete the roster…this is what is going to happen year after year now…also this year likely Stanton and Clendening…next year TT, Danault, McNeil and Ross will all be given shots…it just keeps rolling…why do you think all these kids from Rockford produce right away when they come up to the Hawks??? Because they are talented and they play our style of game, night in and night out in Rockford. They are ready.
I thought Bickell would sign for less as he did want to give the Hawks a discount. 3.5 million a year for someone who has never scored 20 goals is fair. n any case, he is a valuable asset for t he playoffs and for Kane! I am a little disappointed the Hawks did not draft more wingers. it seems we already have centers like Pirri, Danault, MacNeil, Hayes in our system so why draft all these centers this draft? And why wasted pick Anthony Louis who is 5’7″? Lots of homer drafts.. Vinny H last year was another undersized center from Illinois?
Hartman will be a good NHL player. Surprised not one player from the Western Canadian hockey league was drafted. Bolland and Frolic will be missed. Bowman got a fair deal for Bolland but not much for Frolic, a former 10 th pick overall that Bowman overpaid and received little for. Jack skille and Frolic for late picks!
With Hossa going under the knife and miss most of next season, Morin and Hayes will see NHL ice next year. I hope they resign Leddyand Kruger for several years and keep Rosival as your 7th dman with Clendening or Lalonde making the jump. I have always liked Lalonde speed and grit! Olsen will be a bust because of his skating and fitness.