Hawks Do The Right Thing. Jimmy Hayes Returns.

Jimmy Hayes has returned to the lineup for this next game against Columbus to finish off one of the worst road trips in recent history and definitely the worst in the Rocky era.  Thanks NHL Scheduling. Really? A 9 game road trip? .......water under the bridge.
With the welcoming of Jimmy Hayes, this meant the departure of rookie Andrew Shaw. Shawsy did okay, but the everyday grind of the NHL was too much for him. He kind of 'hit the wall' the past 2 weeks. His consistency was not there. He'll be back, but most likely not this year.
There are players that should be ahead of Shaw to return, but that isn't always the case when it comes to Stan Bowman and Coach Q. I think Brandon Pirri is the best player in Rockford, and truly deserves that shot. Ben Smith should get another crack at that lineup as well. There will be others that will try to crack that roster spot that will surprise the Hawks (return of Jeremy Morin perhaps, etc...) we'll see. But, for now, the Hawks made the absolute correct move by bringing back Jimmy Hayes. He is NHL ready RIGHT NOW and the Hawks need his big body presence and as a big guy he can skate and has skills.He's a popular kid in Chicago right now.

This is the post from the Chicago Blackhawks website:

Blackhawks recall Hayes from Rockford, assign Shaw

Friday, 02.17.2012 / 12:30 PM / News

By Chicago Blackhawks

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Hayes

The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled forward Jimmy Hayes from the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs. In addition, the Blackhawks have assigned forward Andrew Shaw to Rockford.

Hayes, 22, has recorded four goals, seven points and six penalty minutes in 13 games with the Blackhawks this season during his National Hockey League debut. The Dorchester, Massachusetts, native notched two multiple point games and registered his first NHL point with a goal on January 2 against Edmonton.

Hayes has also recorded 16 assists and 23 points in 33 games with Rockford during his first full professional campaign. Originally selected in the second round (60th overall) of the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, he was acquired by Chicago via trade on June 26, 2010. In three seasons at Boston College prior to signing with the Blackhawks, he posted 42 goals and 39 assists in 117 collegiate tilts, and helped lead the Eagles to the 2010 NCAA championship.

Shaw, 20, tallied five goals, nine points and 18 penalty minutes in 19 games with Chicago during his NHL debut after being added to the active roster on January 4. He registered his first NHL point with a goal in his first NHL game, while also adding his first fighting major, on January 5 at Philadelphia. Chicago’s fifth choice, 139th overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Shaw has also tallied 12 goals and 21 points in 33 tilts with Rockford during his pro debut.

The Hawks with a win tomorrow can actually return them to a winning week, one they haven't had since the week of Jan15-21st.