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Blackhawks address Hayes free agency, will receive 2015 second-rounder

2014 Beanpot Tournament - Semifinals

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 3: Kevin Hayes #12 of the Boston College Eagles gets ready to battle against the Boston University Terriers during NCAA hockey action in the semifinals of the annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament at TD Garden on February 3, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

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It’s not exactly a well-kept secret that Kevin Hayes will spurn the Chicago Blackhawks and become a free agent once midnight rolls around, but the team made it official on Friday. They also shared the team’s compensation as he walks: Chicago will receive a second-round pick (54th overall) in the 2015 NHL Draft for its troubles.

Here’s a statement from GM Stan Bowman:

“We offered Kevin what we believed was a generous and fair contract. Unfortunately, he felt it was in his best interests to become a free agent. We are looking forward to the compensatory draft pick we are receiving and are focused on the excitement surrounding the start of training camp next month.”

The Blackhawks selected Hayes, 22, with the 24th pick in 2010, but considering the excitement surrounding next year’s draft, getting the 54th selection isn’t the worst thing that could happen. Here’s a fun way to look at it:

Granted, that excitement might have more to do with high-end talent than overall depth, but perhaps the Blackhawks could package that pick for a nice rental during the trade deadline or any other number of beneficial possibilities.

Things simply haven’t worked out between the Blackhawks and the Hayes family. Jimmy Hayes was also in Chicago’s system before being traded to the Florida Panthers as part of the package that landed Kris Versteeg.

Kevin Hayes’ rumored logic for leaving the Chicago pipeline is simple enough: many believe that he simply didn’t have the same chance to crack the starting lineup as he would in rumored destinations such as Florida, Calgary and even Boston. (The Calgary Flames gave the long version of a “no comment” when asked about their interest in Hayes, for one.)

Hayes is generally believed to be NHL-ready, and with his enticing size, he could inspire a fairly interesting bidding war. Granted, much of that entertainment is limited since he can only make so much money on an entry-level deal, but this is relatively solid drama considering how deep we are into the hockey summer.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins