The fifth installment of our 25 Montreal Canadiens in 25 days series is dedicated to defenceman Nathan Beaulieu.
Beaulieu had expectations he’d only spend a year in the minors before making the jump to the NHL, but rarely do things work out so smoothly for defensive prospects – even ones with astounding major junior track records.
As a standout with the Saint John Sea Dogs, he recorded 152 points and was a remarkable plus-124 in 233 QMJHL games. He helped the team to back-to-back QMJHL President Cup championships in 2011 and 2012 and had a big hand in helping them become the first team from Atlantic Canada to win a Memorial Cup (2011), as he earned one of six all-star spots in the tournament.
Among Beaulieu’s other pre-NHL achievements included playing for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship and finishing tied for the team lead in scoring with the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs in 2012-13 (31 points).
He’s had flashes of brilliance in limited NHL experience and if he stays on track, he’ll play a significant role in improving Montreal’s blueline.
Who: Nathan Beaulieu | No. 28 | Mid-pair defenceman (left) | 6-foot-2 | 202 pounds | @natebeaulieu | Age: 22
Acquired: 2011 NHL Draft (Round 1, 17th overall)
Contract status: Two years, $1 million AAV (expires 2017)
2014-15 Stats: 64 GP | 1 G | 8 A | 9 P | 15:41 TOI | 48.9 CF%
Career stats: 87 GP | 1 G | 12 A | 13 P | 14:59 TOI | 50.4 CF%
The book on 2014-15:
There’s no question last season was a process for Beaulieu. While his ice time varied, he fought valiantly to win over his teammates, both figuratively and literally.
This tilt with then-Leafs forward David Clarkson was a big factor in helping Beaulieu become part of this team. It’s noteworthy that Beaulieu stepped in for Gonchar because the weathered blueliner’s acquisition in November did wonders for Beaulieu’s game.
The two proved to be a formidable pair before Gonchar got injured, and the lessons learned by the young defenceman under the experienced Russian’s tutelage proved invaluable as the season wore on.
With Gonchar out, Beaulieu worked confidently in Montreal’s top-four leading up to Jeff Petry’s arrival in March.
And though Beaulieu’s production was sporadic throughout the season, the Canadiens went 10-3-1 when he played 18 minutes or more. Beaulieu didn’t hit the 18-minute mark in any post-season contest, although he recorded an assist and was plus-1 in two and a half games before this thundering hit fractured his sternum.
Beaulieu showed resilience by only missing seven games with the injury before returning for Game 5 of Montreal’s second round series with Tampa Bay.
Off-season updates:
After signing a two-year, $2 million bridge deal on June 13, Beaulieu took a fishing trip with his father Jacques before plunging back into his off-season regimen of CrossFit training in London, Ont., with instructor Dave Henry.
“I’ve always been a big believer in not staying away from the ice for too long,” said Beaulieu in a recent interview. Hence, in addition to playing in a Sea Dogs alumni game and hosting a charity hockey game to benefit a family friend recovering from a serious car accident, he’s been skating regularly in London with several notable NHLers.
2015-16 outlook:
There’s a fine line between confidence and cockiness and it took some time for Beaulieu to straddle it in the way management expected him to.
Beaulieu may not have originally seen the value in paying his dues at the AHL level for as long as he had to — he was practically distraught over having to play eight games there in 2014-15 — but the experience both focused and humbled him.
“It took a lot of patience, it was a journey” he said this summer.
General manager Marc Bergevin explained why Beaulieu needed some extra seasoning.
“When a guy keeps his shift to 25 seconds, I can see that he doesn’t want to be on the ice,” the GM said. “He doesn’t want to make a mistake, and when you play that way, eventually you’ll make a mistake.”
Those tendencies were apparent as Beaulieu bounced between the AHL and NHL.
The frequent demotions strengthened his resolve. His perseverance in trying to seize a permanent role and be an impact player with the Canadiens offered evidence that he’s tenacious enough to elevate his game further.
Now 22, the Strathroy, Ont., native is expected to be a fixture in Montreal’s top-four this coming season. And there’s every reason to believe he’ll live up to the billing.
He has all the necessary skills to bolster the power play and is poised to be one of Montreal’s most effective players at even strength.
Offensively, the bar of expectation should be set at 20 points – and it’s reasonable to think he could exceed that total. On the defensive side, there should be no concern about playing him against stronger competition.
This season should be a breakout year for Beaulieu.
