John Hayden's stall in the Blackhawks' locker room is right next to Michal Rozsival. For Hayden, who grew up in Connecticut and watched Rozsival during the defenseman's days with the New York Rangers, to be around him and others is awe-inspiring.
For a young player, being in awe is great as long as it doesn't lead to distracted play on the ice. Hayden, however, has not had that problem.
Hayden will play in his fourth pro game on Tuesday when the Blackhawks host the Vancouver Canucks. It's a small sample size but Hayden's handled the jump from college to pros well. He's been good in pressure situations, too, recording two primary assists in the Blackhawks' 6-3 comeback victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. As for balancing the locker-room awe with the on-ice play, Hayden said, "I think it can go hand in hand."
"Watching these guys, as a college player and as a kid growing up, you know how hard they work and how talented they are," Haydensaid. "It's more about learning from them in person and trying to translate that into the honest experience."
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Jonathan Toews said Hayden has adapted well.
"System-wise he's getting more comfortable being in the right place. He's trusting his instincts," Toews said following Sunday's game. "He's doing the little things and getting better and better every game. He's doing everything you could ask for his first couple of games."
NHL
Marian Hossa will return from his lower-body injury for Tuesday's game. So will Johnny Oduya, who got a rest day on Sunday. Corey Crawford gets the start.
Broadcast information
Time: 7:30 p.m.
TV: CSN-Plus
Live stream: CSNChicago.com
Blackhawks forward lines
John Hayden-Jonathan Toews-Richard Panik
Artemi Panarin-Nick Schmaltz-Patrick Kane
Ryan Hartman-Marcus Kruger-Marian Hossa
Dennis Rasmussen-Tanner Kero-Tomas Jurco
Defensive pairs
Duncan Keith-Niklas Hjalmarsson
Johnny Oduya-Brent Seabrook
Brian Campbell-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Goaltender
Corey Crawford
Injuries
Artem Anisimov (left leg)
Canucks forward lines
Daniel Sedin-Henrik Sedin-Michael Chaput
Sven Baertschi-Bo Horvat-Reid Boucher
Joseph Cramarossa-Brandon Sutter-Drew Shore
Joe Labate-Brendan Gaunce-Jack Skille
Defensive pairs
Alex Edler-Troy Stecher
Luca Sbisa-Chris Tanev
Ben Hutton-Nikita Tryamkin
Goaltender
Ryan Miller
Injuries
Derek Dorsett (neck), Erik Gudbranson (wrist), Anton Rodin (knee), Loui Eriksson (lower body), Nikolay Goldobin (flu), Markus Granlund (wrist)