Hawks like what they see in Beach
LOS ANGELES - Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon remains a big fan of 2008 first-round draft pick Kyle Beach.
Lately Beach has been involved in several on-ice incidents that have made news in the Western Hockey League while playing for his new team, the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Beach has been involved in several brawls, was suspended for three games and had one of his shots sail over the glass and hit a fan.
Tallon disputed an item that appeared in Barry Rozner's Daily Herald column on Thursday that claimed Beach might not be popular with his Lethbridge teammates.
"His teammates love him and he's going to be a fan favorite here someday," Tallon said. "They love him in Lethbridge. He's got 9 goals (and 5 assists in nine games) since he was traded there and they've only lost like twice. I just talked to their general manager today and everything is great."
Beach got a long look at training camp and might have made the Hawks' roster if not for his high salary cap hit, Tallon said. But Beach also needed to improve his skating, so the Hawks felt another year in juniors was probably best.
The Hawks see the rambunctious Beach as a guy who might someday be the perfect compliment on a line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Not only could he help protect them, he has the ability to play with them.
"He might be a better pro," Tallon said. "He can be an aggravating power forward."
As good as ever: Duncan Keith was a force against the Ducks in his return from missing four games with concussion-like symptoms. Keith played a team-high 24 minutes and assisted on Jonathan Toews' game-winning goal with a pretty pass.
What Keith means to the Hawks was exhibited late in the game with the Hawks protecting their 1-goal lead. Anaheim's Corey Perry sped down the right side in a 2-on-2 with a teammate only to have Keith close on him along the boards and take away the puck.
Slip of the tongue? Patrick Kane was asked after Wednesday's win which was more important, his scoring a goal for the first time in 13 games or the team's victory.
"Probably the goal, I don't want to lie to you, but it feels good to get a win too," Kane said.
Kane had better hope coach Joel Quenneville doesn't read the papers.
Tip-ins: The Hawks are holding organizational meetings while in California with assistant general managers Rick Dudley and Stan Bowman and senior adviser Scotty Bowman on the trip with Dale Tallon. ... Jonathan Toews won 13 of 22 faceoffs at Anaheim and Colin Fraser 10 of 19 including 2 key draws in his own end in the final minute. ... Craig Adams was back at center against the Kings between Dustin Byfuglien and Troy Brouwer for the second straight game. ... Aaron Johnson, Pascal Pelletier and Kris Versteeg (finger) were the scratches.