Hayden brings confidence to Chicago Blackhawks

The first thing you notice about John Hayden is his size.

The Chicago Blackhawks winger, who signed a two-year deal Sunday, isn't at all like many of the other young players who have made an impact this season, and he plans to use his 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame to his advantage.

The other thing you notice? Just his complete and utter confidence while fielding questions inside the Blackhawks' dressing room before the team took off for Montreal on Monday to begin a three-game road trip.

Most answers were brief and to the point - but the Yale product looked each reporter square in the eyes and was completely at ease.

Two quick examples:

• It can take awhile to get used to playing in the Hawks' system. What about your game might meld quickly in how they like to play?

"I don't plan on changing my game at all. I play a physical, hardworking game at the college level, and I plan on doing the same thing here. I'll take all the advice I can get … and hopefully make it as seamless a transition as possible."

• Any doubt you would sign here? You could have been a free agent in August.

"There was never a doubt since I was drafted that this is where I would sign. It's such a first-class organization, and there's a winning culture here. I'm very excited to learn from the staff and obviously the leadership here."

Now, if this confidence translates to the ice, all the better for the Hawks.

Coach Joel Quenneville hopes to play the gritty Hayden once or twice on this trip, with his first chance likely coming Thursday at Ottawa.

"We don't have a lot of guys that play that way, so it could be a nice fit for both of us, and we're looking forward to seeing how he handles it," Quenneville said.

With the playoffs approaching, this could be an awfully tough time for a college kid to join a Stanley Cup contender, but Hayden said "it's part of the business." The 22-year-old believes the transition will go smoother because he's already friends with guys such as Nick Schmaltz, Ryan Hartman and Trevor van Riemsdyk.

"Helps a ton," said Hayden, whom the Hawks took in the third round of the 2013 draft. "I've obviously talked to a few of the guys that I know, and everybody else has done a great job of introducing themselves. Everyone's been tremendously nice and I'm excited to be here."

Adding Hayden, who scored a career-high 21 goals this season at Yale, obviously further complicates the situation among the bottom six forwards. With Ryan Hartman, Marian Hossa, Tanner Kero and Marcus Kruger all essentially locks to play every night, it leaves just two spots open for Hayden, Tomas Jurco, Andrew Desjardins, Jordin Tootoo and Dennis Rasmussen.

Quenneville and his staff love competition, but this late in the season additions like Hayden and Jurco can sometimes disrupt a team's chemistry, on and off the ice.

"I find that the guys who don't play on a regular basis are equally important to the chemistry around their team, and their attitudes are very important to the health of your team," Quenneville said. "At the same time, I know everybody wants to play and they all want to play in the worst way.

"We don't expect you to be happy not playing. But let's make sure when you're around here, you're a good teammate and you're pushing and working in practice. (Also) off the ice, make sure that you're good and ready to help out.

"And when you do get in, you try and stay in there."

• Follow John on Twitter @johndietzdh

Scouting report

Blackhawks vs. Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday

TV: Comcast SportsNet

Radio: WGN 720-AM

The skinny: Montreal has won seven of eight, with 4 of those wins in overtime. The Hawks beat Montreal 3-2 to hand the Canadiens just their second loss of the season on Nov. 13 when Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane scored less than five minutes apart in the second period to wipe out a 2-1 deficit. … Max Pacioretty leads Montreal with 33 goals. He scored twice in the team's 4-1 victory Sunday at Edmonton. … Former Hawks Andrew Shaw and Phillip Danault have 10 goals each. Shaw has 3 goals in the last 10 games, but Danault hasn't scored in the last 21.

Next: Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre, 6:30 p.m. Thursday

- John Dietz