After taking a step back and considering what the options were for the Hawks I still believe they made the correct choice in selecting Kyle Beach with their first Draft selection. I went along with popular and logical opinion that the Hawks would try to draft a defenseman at #11. I changed my mind on Friday as I heard just before the Draft that they were pointed to take a forward because it was believed that none of the top four defensemen would still be available. That turned out to be exactly the case and Beach was then chosen.

I know there were some issues with Beach this past year but from what I can tell his sports hernia condition did cause him a lot of problems. People who are skilled at evaluating young prospects had Beach rated very high. Not as high as some of the standout defenders but there were not many forwards rated higher. Actually the only solid consensus opinion I could gather had Beach ranked as the #2 or #3 forward in the Draft. Consensus opinion can be wrong especially concerning NHL Draft choices but by all standards available Beach appears to be the real deal.

Beach at 18 is already 6’3’’ and 205 lbs. as he was 2nd in overall points and 3rd in goals last season in the WHL. He was the only player in the WHL to average 3 penalty minutes a game, while still also averaging a point a contest.

The only negative comments I hear regarding Beach concern his temper and possible injury problems. I did not hear any professionals express concern about his temper. As I wrote about on Draft day the Hawks use extensive psychological evaluations before making selections. Evidently Beach passed with flying colors.

Beach did undergo a sports hernia operation after his season ended. A sports hernia is not a big concern unless it causes some sort of chronic condition latter on. I am sure he has been thoroughly examined and the Hawks would not waste a top selection on anyone who was thought to have a chronic injury problem… At least I would hope not in this day and age.

As far as him playing angry or with an edge that is exactly what is needed here. I am happy that the soft play that the Hawks adopted, more by default than anything else, is gone. Last seasons team did not a have true heavy weight fighter in most games but still didn’t get pushed around. There was a time when teams feared coming into the old Stadium because even if they won the contest they would have a lot of aches and pains on their flight out of Chicago. It is time now for that same tough hard hitting style to be a part of Blackhawk culture. If you notice the two qualifications needed to play in Chicago now are good size and top skating ability.

Beach has too much skill to be put into a one dimensional goon like player category; he has a goal scoring touch and a solid wrist shot. Sean Malloy who does a great job on XM radio evaluating young NHL prospects is very high on Beach. Malloy commented on a Hawk website podcast that Beach scored more big goals than any other prospect including Stamkos. Malloy along with some others rated him above the highly touted Russian prospect Nikita Filatov.

The Hawks also made a trade to move up in the Draft to choose 6’1’’ Shawn Lalonde at #68. The Hawks gave up their 72nd and 102nd picks to grab the OHL defenseman. A Hawks scout said that Lalonde would be considered one of the top ten skaters in all of the Draft. The Hawks were aggressive to get Lalonde as they then chose four defensemen and a right wing with their remaining selections. For now I am not going to question any decisions made by Tallon, Dudley and the rest of their staff as they have been very good on Draft day the last few years.

Now there were other Draft deals, one involving the Panthers Jokinen who most thought would bring more value. The Panthers seemingly have not done anything right for a long time so nothing they do comes as a shock. Jokinen wanted to be traded and it wasn’t a salary dump so I suppose Florida targeted Boyton and Ballard…I guess. What that trade indicates to me is that it is not very easy to move 5 million dollar players.

The right to negotiate with R.J. Umberger was traded to the Blue Jackets for Draft picks by the Flyers. I along with many others knew the Flyers wouldn’t be able to retain his services. I still wouldn’t mind Tallon taking a swing at R.J. if he is still available.

According to reports by Bob McKenzie, Doug Wilson has given a few teams in the Eastern Conference the opportunity to negotiate with Brian Campbell. Wilson must feel that it's unlikely for him to retain Campbell’s services. Wilson may also want to see what other teams offer Campbell so that he can get a better feel for his market value. At the end of the day maybe Wilson will get a Draft pick out of his willingness to let others talk to Campbell.

I have heard from the beginning that Campbell may want to play closer to eastern Canada. That is why I thought that the Rangers would be the biggest competition for the Hawks in the Campbell derby. Maybe Brian will just settle to be in the midwest rather than on the east or west coast. Playing in Chicago is closer to his home than San Jose.

If Campbell signs with another Club I can then see the Hawks shifting gears a bit. No matter what I believe Ryan Malone will be a top UFA target for Dale Tallon. If the Sharks are out of the Campbell derby then they may not be as anxious to trade Patrick Marleau as it has been rumored. Cap space won’t be an issue then for the Sharks but I think they will still try to trade their Captain.

Once Campbell decides on his future, and if it won’t be in Chicago maybe a Marleau trade to the Hawks makes sense. It would give them a big veteran center that could play here for awhile as Patrick will just turn 29 in September. Marleau would be a solid #2 center and he may not feel the same pressure as in San Jose. I thought he played well for the most part in the playoffs and Marleau may relish a change in scenery.

Marleau and Malone would definitely help the offense but they won’t come cheap. The Sharks might be looking to shuffle the deck… new coach, new captain?? If so maybe Tallon can put the right package together to acquire the veteran Marleau.

The only other question to answer if Campbell plays elsewhere is who will be able to play the point effectively on the Power Play. Jason Williams appears to be headed out of town but then again that could change. Maybe if Barker is still here he can take over that responsibility. The Hawks could look to add the offensive minded Mark Streit but he will be expensive also. Signing Brooks Orpik could help the Hawks get tougher down low but he doesn’t add a lot of offense. Tallon has a good deal of Cap space available but he can’t afford everyone.

As usual so many questions and I will have to leave all of you with one more…How quickly will Kyle Beach become the new sheriff in Chicago? You have to believe that Denis Savard and Dale Tallon knew that sooner rather than later they needed to find an “Al Secord” for Kane and Toews. I think the Hawks believe they have found him.

Even though Beach is only 18, I wouldn’t bet against him being on the ice at the UC come October.

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