The Chicago Blackhawks have been looking for help at the center position for several seasons. Despite having several prospects in the system, management has chosen to attempt a position switch with one of their highly-regarded wings.
May I present the Jimmy Hayes experiment.
Hayes, who played 31 games in Chicago last season, has been to this point a potential power forward. The 6'5" former Boston College standout doesn't seem to have the physical nature to his game to make that a reality, though he has great hands.
With no NHL players due to the lockout, perhaps GM Stan Bowman and head coach Joel Quenneville are just wanting to tinker with the roster of the Rockford IceHogs and see if they can't create a solution to the middle of the 'Hawks second line.
That's where Hayes comes in.
Early last month, Hayes began appearing at center for Rockford. Despite having virtually no prior experience up the middle and with a host of center prospects skating with the IceHogs, Hayes has remained there since a November 9 contest in Grand Rapids.
Hayes has improved his skating in the offseason and does handle the puck with aplomb. I ...
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Article written by Jon Fromi
Chicago Blackhawks: Should Jimmy Hayes Be Shifted to Center?
December 7th, 2012 by Jon Fromi Leave a reply »
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