Blackhawks breakdown: Jimmy Hayes

The 60th overall pick in the second round by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008, Jimmy Hayes made his NHL debut on Dec. 30 and would go on to play a little over 10 minute per game in 31 games. Hayes scored five goals with four assists and finished at minus-3 while dishing out 50 hits. In limited time on the power play, he did record one goal and one assist with the man-advantage. Hayes played in two playoff games, failing to record a point and finishing minus-1.

Boden's take: After an impressive training camp, the numbers game caught up to the big winger. But when he was brought up early in the season, he collected four goals and three assists in just 14 games and was a presence around the net and in the corners. When the numbers forced him back to Rockford, his return engagement over the final month and a half wasn't as impressive -- not just statistically (one goal, one assist in 17 games), but his overall effectiveness slipped, too. He got a two-game shot in the playoffs, but didn't do much with it.

Myers' take: The young Hayes was a solid player out of training camp, and when the Blackhawks needed more size among their forwards near the turn of the new year, Hayes was the natural call-up. He impressed immediately, tallying four goals and seven assists in his first 10 games. Hayes is a solid skater for a big man, and that 6-foot-6 presence was a bonus in front of the oppositions net. It was a good debut for the 22-year-old, and certainly one off which he can build this season.

Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Chicago sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.

2012-13 Expectations

Boden: The Boston College product would seem to be on the verge of taking the next step into becoming an NHL roster mainstay. He turns 23 in November and has just an 875,000 salary cap hit over the next two seasons. Do the Hawks and their fans have the patience to stay with him through the ups and downs, or is another season of shuffling back-and-forth between Chicago and Rockford on the horizon?

He has the size and skill this team sorely needs, it's just a matter of how high his so-called "ceiling" is. As we speak, roster spots are few, but I have the feeling Hayes is among the top two or three prospects the organization would have the most difficulty parting with if they're seeking more immediate help. A pair of Los Angeles Kings rookies -- 22-year-olds Dwight King and Jordan Nolan -- are both 6-foot-3 and are playing important roles in the Kings' Stanley Cup run. Could Hayes be a similar ingredient for the Hawks next season? I'd like to see what he could do with that opportunity.

Myers: Hayes didnt play much in the postseason, but that spoke more to his raw, rookie status than anything else. With this offseason and another good training camp, Hayes could fight for a roster spot heading into October - or at least be one of the first call-ups the Blackhawks make. Hayes says hes constantly working on his skating, as most big men have to do. It was pretty good last year, so a little more honing there will round out his game.