What they’re saying about Beach
Published 2:03 pm Thursday, June 19, 2008
OK, I’ve been poking around the internet seeing what people have to say about Kyle Beach heading into the NHL draft, and I figured I’d compile some of the more interesting comments. So here they are:
Bob McKenzie, TSN hockey guru — “Some believe he’s a temperamental head case who has anger management issues to say nothing of injury concerns; others believe he’s hard-edged win-at-all-costs competitor who is still trying to figure out exactly how to harness his abundant energy. What most everyone can agree on is that in a draft that features a lot of defenceman and a lot of really small but highly-skilled forwards, Beach is a unique talent. There’s not really anyone else like him. No one that big, that tough, that mean, that talented.”
Mark Seidel, The Hockey News — “If Beach falls to the Ducks (at No. 12, where Seidel has him going in his mock draft), GM Brian Burke and his staff will be doing back flips to the podium. Beach has size, skill and plays with an edge that scares weak-hearted opponents and stands up to other physical players. There are rumors about his questionable character, but Beach is a young man who has made a few mistakes, but still has a chance to be a star in the NHL.”
Mike Remmerde, western scout for Red Line Report — “I’m hearing a lot of buzz that there are quite a few teams looking to move up to grab Beach. Look for him to go between 5-10 overall, and probably to a team that trades up for a pick. I don’t see any way he can go higher than 5, and it will be a real surprise if he slides lower than about 15 overall.”
Hockey’s Future mock draft, which has him going No. 10 to Vancouver — “Some character questions make this a bit of a risky pick for the Canucks, but everything else about Beach screams quality pick. He’s got the size, the two-way, rugged play, and a nose for the net. However, the questions about alleged character issues make this a big risk/reward-type pick for the Canucks.”
