I believe these characteristics make him a candidate for the acquisition by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Have never seen Beach play. Sounds like a player carrying a bunch of expectations around his neck because where he was chosen in the draft but without the ability to deliver.
- RickJ

My fear with Beach is..IF we give up on him...does Detroit or somebody else come along and turn him into a serviceable NHL player ala Dan Cleary, who we also gave up on once upon a time.

My fear with Beach is..IF we give up on him...does Detroit or somebody else come along and turn him into a serviceable NHL player ala Dan Cleary, who we also gave up on once upon a time.
- philco28

Decisions like that are what hockey men are paid to evaluate - what's his upside, how much more time does he need to develop. If he can't skate, he won't be much at the NHL level.

Beach might just be a younger version of Hugh Jessiman.

Decisions like that are what hockey men are paid to evaluate - what's his upside, how much more time does he need to develop. If he can't skate, he won't be much at the NHL level.

Beach might just be a younger version of Hugh Jessiman.
- RickJ

Beach seemed to be a much quicker guy in junior. I saw him play in Vancouver (when he was Everett) and he was flying around the ice and dominated the game. I was thrilled when we drafted him, but that 1st round tag may have gone to his head...because 4 or 5 years later, we're still waiting on him.

Beach seemed to be a much quicker guy in junior. I saw him play in Vancouver (when he was Everett) and he was flying around the ice and dominated the game. I was thrilled when we drafted him, but that 1st round tag may have gone to his head...because 4 or 5 years later, we're still waiting on him.
- philco28

In that draft my first choice was Cody Hodgson, but those damn Canucks drafted him one spot earlier then ended up wasting his talents. Myers was another popular choice at the time, but I had no issue with them picking Beach (at that time). I'd still like the Hawks to find a way to get Hodgson, he'd be a great 2nd line centre for us.

I have spent the morning checking out some of central scouting's euro rankings and I have to wonder if this kid Aleksander Barkov shouldn't go no.1.

He'll be 17 at the draft, he's listed at 6.02, 195lbs. He is playing in the same league as Teuvo Teravainen; he leads his team in scoring 13G 13A in 24G. In TT's draft year TT himself had 18pts in 40G. Pretty staggering. I personally think being a point a game player in a pro mens league is much more impressive than a point and a half a game player in the CHL.

Per NHL.com

''Barkov was named the best player at the Under-20 Four Nations Tournament in Sundsvall, Sweden, in November for silver medal-winning Finland. He had three assists in three games, a plus-2 rating and won 59 percent of his faceoffs. He was on the ice for eight of his team's nine goals in the tournament.

"He's big, strong and a hard worker in all areas of the ice," Stubb told NHL.com. "He's a sniper who can also set up scoring chances for teammates. He's a two-way center with a good understanding of his defensive duties, stickhandles well in tight situations, and always seems to come out as a winner. He'll probably go among the top three at the draft."''

If we lose the season I hope Chicago gets a top three pick!!

Beach seemed to be a much quicker guy in junior. I saw him play in Vancouver (when he was Everett) and he was flying around the ice and dominated the game. I was thrilled when we drafted him, but that 1st round tag may have gone to his head...because 4 or 5 years later, we're still waiting on him.
- philco28

That's where maturity and physicality can be misleading when playing against younger and smaller foes.

It's a whole different game versus men and that's why it is good to hear Saad has been standing out with the Hogs.

In that draft my first choice was Cody Hodgson, but those damn Canucks drafted him one spot earlier then ended up wasting his talents. Myers was another popular choice at the time, but I had no issue with them picking Beach (at that time). I'd still like the Hawks to find a way to get Hodgson, he'd be a great 2nd line centre for us.
- DarthKane

Beach is one of 4 players that went Round 1 in 2008 that hasn't yet dressed for a single NHL game. In his case, he hasn't even been close to seeing W.Madison unless he has done some car jockey work in disguise in the parking lots. That should tell us all something about how the Hawks view him.

Myers, Eric Karlsson, Jordan Eberle, Del Zotto and Jake Gardiner all were picked after Beach. Eberle is the kid I really like - knows how to bury it and at times in the game when you need one.

I'm not sold yet on Hodgson as a player and injuries seem to be a problem with him.

You could be correct if Burke lasts long enough...

As far as expectation...The word by those who supposedly knew was that Beach had the 2nd best hands in the draft.

Word I got shortly before the Draft was Tallon loved him and if Beach dropped the Hawks wouldn't pass on him...Actually I wrote about selecting Beach and was high on him to start....

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15824
You might get a kick to look back at what was going on from June of 2008....


He has the hands and the size but you also need to be wired correctly above the shoulders ...

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

A friend of mine in Western Canada who did some scouting for the Red Wings out there told me more than once - " the best 14 year old is rarely the best 16 year old, the best 16 year old is rarely the best 18 year old" and so on; probably applies to Beach.

Size and hands are 2 valuable tools for the NHL, but can he skate well enough and is a brain transplant a necessity? The Hawks need a big, strong winger so they can say goodbye to Mayers but from what I've heard Beach doesn't seem to be the guy, at least yet.

Beach is one of 4 players that went Round 1 in 2008 that hasn't yet dressed for a single NHL game. In his case, he hasn't even been close to seeing W.Madison unless he has done some car jockey work in disguise in the parking lots. That should tell us all something about how the Hawks view him.

Myers, Eric Karlsson, Jordan Eberle, Del Zotto and Jake Gardiner all were picked after Beach. Eberle is the kid I really like - knows how to bury it and at times in the game when you need one.

I'm not sold yet on Hodgson as a player and injuries seem to be a problem with him.
- RickJ

It's always easy too back on a draft and the missed opportunities. But over the past few drafts I think we've walked away with more steals than busts. Consecutive 5th round picks made the team (Kruger and Shaw) and we got one of our top prospects (Saad) in the 2nd round. It looks like Danault and Teravainen were good late first round picks too.

It's always easy too back on a draft and the missed opportunities. But over the past few drafts I think we've walked away with more steals than busts. Consecutive 5th round picks made the team (Kruger and Shaw) and we got one of our top prospects (Saad) in the 2nd round. It looks like Danault and Teravainen were good late first round picks too.
- DarthKane

Nothing is a steal or a bust until the player is out of the game or playing with another team.

But, since the 2006 draft when they took Toews, the Hawks only have 930 NHL games played in total from all of their picks. And Toews and Kane account for 760 of those 930. Doesn't seem very good to me but I'm not sure how that compares to other NHL teams.

Nothing is a steal or a bust until the player is out of the game or playing with another team.

But, since the 2006 draft when they took Toews, the Hawks only have 930 NHL games played in total from all of their picks. And Toews and Kane account for 760 of those 930. Doesn't seem very good to me but I'm not sure how that compares to other NHL teams.
- RickJ

pretty cool stat. I don't know how to digest it yet, but interesting nonetheless.

A friend of mine in Western Canada who did some scouting for the Red Wings out there told me more than once - " the best 14 year old is rarely the best 16 year old, the best 16 year old is rarely the best 18 year old" and so on; probably applies to Beach.

Size and hands are 2 valuable tools for the NHL, but can he skate well enough and is a brain transplant a necessity? The Hawks need a big, strong winger so they can say goodbye to Mayers but from what I've heard Beach doesn't seem to be the guy, at least yet.
- RickJ

Well the Hawks were fooled so far...

Make no mistake the door was pretty much wide open for him to play with the big Club quickly.

Beach had a late birthday and although spending extra time in Jr's and a year with Rockford the results haven't been too good.
But he has had issues...

pretty cool stat. I don't know how to digest it yet, but interesting nonetheless.
- nathanjf

A bit skewed though because when two players go straight to the NHL and succeed they immediately take up two roster spots.

Plus the team was about the youngest in the NHL when they won the Cup.

No team succeeds these days with a roster full of 21 year olds.

A friend of mine in Western Canada who did some scouting for the Red Wings out there told me more than once - " the best 14 year old is rarely the best 16 year old, the best 16 year old is rarely the best 18 year old" and so on; probably applies to Beach.

Size and hands are 2 valuable tools for the NHL, but can he skate well enough and is a brain transplant a necessity? The Hawks need a big, strong winger so they can say goodbye to Mayers but from what I've heard Beach doesn't seem to be the guy, at least yet.
- RickJ

His skating would be good enough if he had the right mindset.

Beach needs to find the open ice near the net and then he could score a bunch...

pretty cool stat. I don't know how to digest it yet, but interesting nonetheless.
- nathanjf

Behind Toews and Kane, the 2 players with the most games are Kruger (78) and Shaw (37).

So that leaves all of the rest of their draftees since 2006 having played 55 games total in a Hawks jersey.

His skating would be good enough if he had the right mindset.

Beach needs to find the open ice near the net and then he could score a bunch...
- Al

Beach blew out his shoulder in a fight last year and that really slowed him down...so last year was pretty much a write off. Beach was a big kid in junior...tall and lanky, but it wasn't his size that impressed me. It was his visibility. He had a good motor and was very noticeable between the whistles and after them. He was feisty and seemed to be getting a good share of chances. In Rockford, he's been fairly invisible in large stretches and if he can't stand out there....he may never be able to.

Beach blew out his shoulder in a fight last year and that really slowed him down...so last year was pretty much a write off. Beach was a big kid in junior...tall and lanky, but it wasn't his size that impressed me. It was his visibility. He had a good motor and was very noticeable between the whistles and after them. He was feisty and seemed to be getting a good share of chances. In Rockford, he's been fairly invisible in large stretches and if he can't stand out there....he may never be able to.
- philco28

It's interesting that we've had as much (if not more) success int he 2nd round in the past 10 drafts as the first. The first rounders have obviously been better overall, but we've drafted some quality in the 2nd round too.

1st - Seabrook, Toews, Kane
2nd - Keith, Crawford, Bolland, Bickell

Beach blew out his shoulder in a fight last year and that really slowed him down...so last year was pretty much a write off. Beach was a big kid in junior...tall and lanky, but it wasn't his size that impressed me. It was his visibility. He had a good motor and was very noticeable between the whistles and after them. He was feisty and seemed to be getting a good share of chances. In Rockford, he's been fairly invisible in large stretches and if he can't stand out there....he may never be able to.
- philco28

I heard an interview with Dent and Beach just after he had won the AHL player of the week award this season where he and Dent both talked about how the organization was changing gears with their expectation on Beach. The allusion was that if he is to continue professional hockey he would need to transition into a 3rd or 4th line type. That said, it might be better to judge Beach henceforth based on his +/- and his PIM (specifically minors) and not his offensive 'standoutishness'.

http://blackhawks.nhl.com...ser.htm?location=/insider
click on the 'Kyle Beach/Coach Ted Dent' link.

I heard an interview with Dent and Beach just after he had won the AHL player of the week award this season where he and Dent both talked about how the organization was changing gears with their expectation on Beach. The allusion was that if he is to continue professional hockey he would need to transition into a 3rd or 4th line type. That said, it might be better to judge Beach henceforth based on his +/- and his PIM (specifically minors) and not his offensive 'standoutishness'.

http://blackhawks.nhl.com...ser.htm?location=/insider
click on the 'Kyle Beach/Coach Ted Dent' link.
- nathanjf

As I wrote earlier.......Beach has to learn a lot more about playing both sides of the puck to be considered a checking line player...As far as the 4th line goes there is a lot of competition for those spots.

Just checked the box score....and...Leddy Beach Shaw and Saad all scored last night for the Hogs!! Anyone go to the game or watch it? I have read here and a few more places that Saad is starting to get comfortable and is looking solid...What is the place called where Chris Block has his ICE HOGS analysis? Whenever I type or say the word analysis, the first thing that pops into my head is:


TOBIAS FUNKE M.D. Analrapist

I'm shaking my head too Nathan...as for Saad...i hope he makes a believer of JJ ! He's certainly on that trajectory.
- philco28

I think he's going to be a good NHL player.

How good and how soon are really the questions.

I've really never had an "issue" with Saad, more with those who got drunk on his junior numbers and proclaimed him NHL-ready, and a superstar in the making based on those numbers. And some of those people had really never seen him play beyond some Hawk training camp/prospect tourney play.

He has some NHL tools without question. How much he makes of them in the long run is the question.

Let me also add, the talent level in the A is higher this year due to a handful more of NHL ready players on every time because of the strike. A good solid 45-55 point season in the A this year, with + overall, would be enough to convince me he is ready to make the jump

Just checked the box score....and...Leddy Beach Shaw and Saad all scored last night for the Hogs!! Anyone go to the game or watch it? I have read here and a few more places that Saad is starting to get comfortable and is looking solid...What is the place called where Chris Block has his ICE HOGS analysis? Whenever I type or say the word analysis, the first thing that pops into my head is:


TOBIAS FUNKE M.D. Analrapist
- captainserious

thirdmanin.com

My fear with Beach is..IF we give up on him...does Detroit or somebody else come along and turn him into a serviceable NHL player ala Dan Cleary, who we also gave up on once upon a time.
- philco28

With all due respect Philco, I think that's a loser GM mindset. If this guy was a clear superstar talent, it might be worth waiting a couple more years. He's not. He dominated in junior because he was way more physically mature than other kids there. He has an NHL shot and some size/ability down low but he is probably never going to be a significant NHL player. And some evidence suggests he might always be more trouble than he's worth. If he became another Dan Cleary eventually for someone, that's a risk you take, because failing that, he just takes up another organization contract.

thirdmanin.com
- John Jaeckel

Thanks JJ! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!

In your opinion,will there be an NHL season this year? Have any news on the lockout? How about Kruger's play in the AHL, he is looking good, I have read that it seems likr he got a biy bigger, and that his skating has improved, have you been keeping up with the Hogs?

With all due respect Philco, I think that's a loser GM mindset. If this guy was a clear superstar talent, it might be worth waiting a couple more years. He's not. He dominated in junior because he was way more physically mature than other kids there. He has an NHL shot and some size/ability down low but he is probably never going to be a significant NHL player. And some evidence suggests he might always be more trouble than he's worth. If he became another Dan Cleary eventually for someone, that's a risk you take, because failing that, he just takes up another organization contract.
- John Jaeckel

Philco going get you for that statement.

But right now he is probably too busy walking the horse from Calgary thru the lobby of the Royal York Hotel at the Grey Cup festivities.