While one part of the future is a bit closer to Chicago, the date of the Blackhawks choosing another integral part of their roster has been set. Gavin Hayes joined Rockford Friday, added as another piece to assist in their playoff run that begins Saturday.
Hayes’ OHL season came to an end this week when his Soo Greyhounds fell to the Saginaw Spirit in seven games. Hayes had 16 points (7-9) in 11 playoff games, and continued his upward trajectory as one of the Blackhawks’ best prospects in the system.
Hayes was also a member of the gold winning US squad at the World Championships with fellow Blackhawks prospects Sam Rinzel, Oliver Moore, and Frank Nazar.
How he’ll be utilized with the IceHogs in what should be a dogfight of a series against Grand Rapids will be something else to watch for. Further, he joins Nick Lardis, Paul Ludwinski, and Martin Misiak as fellow OHL players assigned to the Rockford roster.
Gavin Hayes Goes To Rockford While Lottery Date Set for May 7
While Hayes could be challenging for a roster spot in Chicago this fall, could the pick the Blackhawks get in the 2024 Lottery being doing the same?
The Blackhawks sit with a 13.5% chance of grabbing the top spot–again–which would be Macklin Celebrini. It was also give Chicago unparalleled star power down the middle–with two teenagers. While conspiracy theories will fly like pucks in warmups if the Hawks indeed win again, they actually a better chance of winning the rights to the top spot than they did last year with 11.5% odds.
The furthest the Hawks can fall is fourth overall, which still promises a number of strong candidates which include a plethora of top notch defenseman. The angst that preceded the draft isn’t nearly the same this year as they won the lottery last year–and snagged Connor Bedard. He’s proven to be everything they could have hoped for, which makes another lottery win an absolute bonus to the riches they already have.
A town buzzing after taking Caleb Williams first overall in the NFL might get another crack at the top spot in the NHL Draft. If that happens, the bedlam will be something to behold.
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