Stock Index: Gavin Hayes Keeps Burying Goals; Game 7 Tomorrow

Originally posted on Chicago Hockey Now | By Nate Brown | Last updated 4/23/24

Gavin Hayes wasn’t going away, and neither were the Soo Greyhounds. The Blackhawks prospect potted two goals in the Greyhounds 5-0 victory Sunday night, setting up a pivotal and deciding game seven against Saginaw Tuesday night on the road.

The two markers give Hayes six goals in the playoffs and 15 points in 10 games, an impressive mark from a prospect who could challenge for a spot in Chicago next season.

But first he’ll want to finish off the Spirit. It’s been a back and forth series for the Greyhounds, unable to seize control and playing catch up through the first six games. Both goals came on the power play but it continues a torrid streak of Hayes chipping in to keep the Greyhounds alive.

#OHLPlayoffs Morning Minute :

It was all @OHLHoundPower on Sunday night in the Soo, with the Greyhounds prevailing 5-0 to force a Game 7 in Saginaw on Tuesday pic.twitter.com/PmWVEkLNgA

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 22, 2024

Impressive Play Continues From Gavin Hayes

With the strong play of Nick Lardis and with Frank Nazar along with Landon Slaggert signing out of college to mark their first NHL games, Hayes has continued to keep his name amongst the Hawks prospects to watch with his goal scoring ability and work to keep the Soo in the contest.

The longer the series goes, the more experience Hayes gathers as the Blackhawks begin bringing pieces into the fold to see who stays to add to the foundation general manager Kyle Davidson is building. The advantage Hayes has is he’s not afraid to score the gritty goal that means going into the corner or taking a beating down low. He can score the pretty ones, too.

But Hayes joins Lardis, and Martin Misiak as three of the intriguing prospects skating in the OHL. Of the three, Hayes has the lead in terms of coming to Chicago first. But he’s also an intriguing option for a Blackhawks team that struggled to score goals of any kind this past season.

That ETA still seems like it may be at least a year away, but stepping up in game seven and prolonging Soo’s playoff run with a direct result will only give Hayes more of an inside track on a trip to Chicago.

Regardless of where it ends, Hayes has enjoyed a heck of a playoff already and continues to see his stock rise as one of Chicago’s best prospects.

Follow Nate on Twitter

This article first appeared on Chicago Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: