The Anaheim Ducks continue to add to their blueline, signing veteran defenseman Francois Beauchemin to a one-year, $1 million contract on Monday.
Francois Beauchemin Signs with the Anaheim Ducks
The 37-year-old has played the majority of his career with the Anaheim Ducks (2005-09, 2010-15). After a brief stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he was traded back to the Ducks in the 2010-11 season.
The 2015-16 season with Colorado saw him have his highest point season in his career with 34 goals and 26 assists. Drafted 75th overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Beauchemin has played in over 800 games throughout his career and his veteran presence will be important as he joins the Ducks. He is also closing in on the 200 career assists milestone and will look to finish off his career with a deep playoff push, and hopefully a Stanley Cup.
Beauchemin signed a 3-year, $13.5 million deal in 2015-16, which was bought out by the Colorado Avalanche this summer. This past year, Beauchemin recorded 18 points in 81 games on the lowly Colorado team, finishing eighth in scoring and second in points from a defenseman.
François Beauchemin contract with #ducks 1 year / $1M + around $500 000 in performance bonuses. #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) August 21, 2017
Back to Cali
His price tag was just too much for the Avalanche, and the Anaheim Ducks have picked up a solid piece because of it.
After two years away from the Ducks, Francois Beauchemin is looking to make one last push towards a second Stanley Cup in California. While the Ducks may have a crowded blueline with the likes of Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen, Cam Fowler, Kevin Bieksa, Korbinian Holzer, Josh Manson, and Brandon Montour, Beauchemin will have to play well to receive ice-time.
His veteran presence on the younger Ducks defensive core will be valued, however, as the average age is just 26.7 years old. Bieksa is the only defender older than 30 on the roster.
Coming in at $1 million, as well as a potential $500,000 in performance bonuses, Beauchemin will look to contribute as a depth defenseman back in the familiar grounds of Anaheim.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
