Jimmy Hayes RW FA Mon 7/1/13 9:43 AM
Jimmy Hayes
RW FA
The trades of Dave Bolland and Michal Frolik will create an opportunity for Jimmy Hayes and others to crack the Blackhawk lineup.
Hayes, along with Brandon Pirri, Ben Smith and Jeremy Morin, will get a real chance to fill the vacant forward roster spots this September. Chicago GM Stan Bowman, who traded Bolland and Frolik to free up cap space to re-sign Bryan Bickell, believes the Hawks are in good shape to replace the traded players. "It's not easy trading players that have been a big part of the team's success, but you have to look forward," Bowman said. "It's a puzzle, and you have to try to put the pieces together. "I'm excited about the ability to keep Bryan Bickell, and also at some point we have to open up some spots for some of these young players who have been pushing on the NHL. Whether it's Jimmy Hayes or Brandon Pirri or Ben Smith . or Jeremy Morin, those are four forwards right there who really deserve to be in the NHL, but they've been blocked out for a long time." Keep an eye on Hayes, Pirri, Smith and Morin in training camp as there should be a spiritied competition for ro