The Montreal Canadiens announced they have acquired defenceman Nicolas Beaudin from the Chicago Blackhawks. In exchange, the Habs send forward Cam Hills to the Blackhawks.
Habs Acquire Hawks Defenceman
The Canadiens have acquired defenseman Nicolas Beaudin from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for forward Cam Hillis.#GoHabsGohttps://t.co/XHmSuolxKV
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 26, 2022
Beaudin has played 22 career NHL games for the Blackhawks to date. He has tallied two goals and four assists for six career points. The 5’11 defenceman was the Blackhawks first-round selection (27th overall) in the 2018 draft. The Quebec-born Beaudin has also played in 137 career AHL games with the Rockford Ice Dogs. There, he scored seven goals and 35 assists. In junior, Beaudin played for the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL.
Cam Hills is a former third-round pick (66th overall) of the Canadiens in 2018. He has appeared in one NHL game during his career so far. He has also appeared in 42 AHL games for the Laval Rocket between 2020-2022. He has scored six goals and 10 points in those games. Hills has also spent 17 games playing for the ECHL’s Trois-Riviere Lions where he scored five goals and 11 points.
Beaudin Getting a Chance
Nicolas Beaudin seemed to be on the outs in Chicago so he was in need of a fresh start. The Habs are the ones to give him this opportunity. The Habs also announced the defenceman Corey Schueneman has been sent down to the Laval Rocket, so it seems Beaudin is going to get an extended look with the Habs.
Les Canadiens ont cédé le défenseur Corey Schueneman au Rocket de Laval.
The Canadiens have loaned defenseman Corey Schueneman to the Laval Rocket.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 26, 2022
The Habs have been searching for some defensive help, however, the focus seemed to have been on finding a right-shot defenceman. Beaudin shoots left. Still, this new Habs regime has not been shy about bringing in players they feel can help. Coming out of the Q, Beaudin’s strengths were his offensive game and vision. He has all the tools to be a strong power play quarterback, something the Habs have been lacking for some time. The Habs are hoping to unlock Beaudin’s offensive potential to help generate more offence from the back end and improve their dreadful power play.
