Blackhawks move on without Hayes
The Blackhawks have parted ways with their 2010 first-round pick, former Boston College center Kevin Hayes.
The Blackhawks and Hayes, the younger brother of former Hawks prospect Jimmy Hayes, had until Friday to reach an agreement on an entry-level contract.
By declining an offer from the Hawks, Hayes is now an unrestricted free agent and can seek a team with fewer roadblocks to the NHL.
"We offered Kevin what we believed was a generous and fair contract," Blackhawks vice president/general manager Stan Bowman said in a statement released Friday afternoon. "Unfortunately, he felt it was in his best interests to become a free agent. We are looking forward to the compensatory draft pick we are receiving and are focused on the excitement surrounding the start of training camp next month."
As compensation, the Blackhawks will receive a second-round pick (54th overall) in the 2015 draft.