"Defenseman Duncan Keith isn't one to make excuses for his recent struggles. But he's having an issue with his skates -- one that hasn't been resolved for some time.

''It hasn't happened in a while, but I like my skates to fit right and feel good,'' Keith said Monday after practice at the United Center. ''When you feel good out there, you play good. It's been awhile since I've had a good pair.''

Keith's abilities to skate and move quickly are his biggest assets, so feeling comfortable in his skates is crucial.

Keith said he usually goes through three or four pairs of skates a season, but this season, he has surpassed that number.

''If they're good skates, not too many, but this year I've been through about nine or 10 already,'' he said.

It's not unheard of for players to have concerns or issues regarding their equipment during a season. But Keith has been having his since the Olympics. He's a minus-7 in 13 games after being one of Canada's best blue-liners in its gold-medal run.

''They're trying to make the same ones they made from games 1 to 60,'' Keith said. ''It seems like since the Olympics, it's been a battle. That stuff is going to happen. ... Every skate is going to be different.''"