The Winnipeg Jets have announced that they have signed free-agent defenceman Nathan Beaulieu to a two-year $2.5 million contract. The contract carries Beaulieu through the 2021-22 season.
#NHLJets have agreed to terms with defenceman Nathan Beaulieu on a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1,250,000.
DETAILS ➡ https://t.co/pbwEBEMm7E pic.twitter.com/aqlpPAuRVO
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) October 9, 2020
Jets Sign Nathan Beaulieu
Beaulieu spent last season playing with the Winnipeg Jets. In 38 games for the Jets, Beaulieu scored one goal and added seven assists for eight points.
Over his career split between the Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres and the Jets, Beaulieu has appeared in 370 games registering 12 goals and 77 assists for 89 points. He also logged 256 penalty minutes.
Bealieu was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round, 17th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
What This Means for the Future
Beaulieu is getting another chance despite his poor play in the last few seasons. He hasn’t been able to live up to the potential being drafted in the first round. Beaulieu came broke into the league with the Canadiens and had his best season during the 2016-17 season scoring four goals and 24 assists for 28 points. However, the Canadiens dealt him to the Sabres for a third-round pick with the Vegas expansion draft looming.
Since the trade, Beaulieu’s production fell off and he has dealt with multiple injuries. However, this signing is a low-risk signing given the upside Beaulieu has. He is a strong skater and brings an edge to his game. Beaulieu isn’t afraid to drop the gloves to stick up for his teammates or try to change the momentum of the game. He can also be used on the second power play unit as he possesses good puck-moving abilities and a decent shot. At the very least, the club has added a nice depth piece. Beaulieu can slot in on the bottom pair or be the seventh defenceman coming in and out of the lineup. While he may not have amounted to be the top four defenceman he was pegged to be after his draft year, he can still provide some decent minutes for his new club.
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