I'm in between on this.
The point of playing hockey is to win the Cup, so why would a guy who was drafted/trained/prepped by this organization, an organization that is the top of the class in the NHL, with the couple of the top players in the NHL, that is a legitimate threat to win the Cup every year, want to leave that type of situation just for a few hundred thousand more dollars?
The answer is money, obviously. And that kind of irks me. It irks quite a bit of people when players bolt to go somewhere for more money, and not a chance to win. Meanwhile, players who take less for a better chance to win are thought of very highly.
I can't stand players that bolt for the money, although I understand it. But I am a fan, not a family member, or a friend of this player, so why should I care? Maybe I would do the same if I was in his position, because cash is king. But if I have full confidence in my abilities I want to be in a situation where I have the best chance to win the Cup. And that's in Chicago.
It would be one year of AHL money for Hayes considering what is on tap for next year, other players don't have a problem with that (Carey, TVR, etc.) that have signed here, but this self-entitled ****** does. I have no problem with anyone who calls him names or wishes the worst for him (outside of injuries).