Hawks confident Beach, Makarov have potential

Despite sending Kyle Beach and Igor Makarov to the minors on Friday, the Blackhawks still believe the rookie wingers have a bright future with the organization.

Beach and Makarov were among the five players sent to Rockford after getting a long look in the preseason. Also cut were forwards Brandon Pirri and Ben Smith and defenseman Brian Connelly.

Rookie Jeremy Morin was still around Friday night when the Hawks hosted Pittsburgh and has a good chance to make the opening night roster. The 19-year-old Morin skated on a line with Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane against the Penguins.

"You have to take it one day at a time," Morin said. "Obviously it's exciting to still be here and get another game with the team and show you can play here."

The Hawks decided Beach and Makarov needed to go to Rockford and play substantial minutes.

In Beach's case, it wasn't his big $1.17 million cap hit that hurt him as much as being minus-4 in three preseason games to go with 1 goal.

"I thought he made tremendous progress from a year ago," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "He had way more pace to his game. He can score, but the overall part of his game, both sides of the puck, he can learn what we're looking for. At the same time he's got a lot of ingredients that make him an NHL prospect and NHL player down the road."

Makarov's play tailed off in the exhibition games after some strong scrimmages. He had 1 assist in three preseason games and was minus-2

"He needs to play," Quenneville said. "Last year (in Russia) he didn't play a lot of hockey. He didn't get enough quality ice time or enough ice time to improve his overall understanding of the game.

"He's got great NHL ability in a lot of ways. I love his quickness and I love his speed. He's a threat offensively and I think understanding how the game needs to be played systems-wise can complement his overall skill level and speed. We think he's a real good prospect for us."

There are 14 forwards still left in camp including Jack Skille, whose arm injury isn't serious, according to Quenneville. He should be back on the ice shortly.

There are nine defensemen left, including rookie Nick Leddy and veteran Jassen Cullimore.

Unless the Hawks decide to keep 14 forwards it would appear one more forward and two defensemen still need to be trimmed to get to 22 for opening night in Denver.

Words of advice: Patrick Kane, who is trying to assume more of a leadership role in the dressing room, made it a point to talk to Kyle Beach and the others before they headed to Rockford.

"You say goodbye and good luck to everyone that leaves, but I talked a little bit to Beach today and you feel bad for him," Kane said. "I think he was coming in expecting to make it. Who knows whether he needs development or salary cap issues, but for him you feel bad because he really wanted to make the team.

"You've got to make sure he stays confident and scores some goals down there and plays good in the AHL, and I'm sure he'll be one of the first call-ups."

Playing it safe: Sidney Crosby wasn't in the Penguins lineup because he was resting a hip flexor.