Among the great stories for the Laval Rocket this season, the arrival of Nicolas Beaudin was a beneficial addition both for the organization and for a prospect who was brooding in Illinois.
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Unhappy in the organization of the Chicago Blackhawks, which selected him in the first round in 2018 during the reign of Stan Bowman, the young defender is now a key piece in the gears of the school club of the Montreal Canadiens. A rocket from one end of the rink to the other at equal forces as on the power play.
Above, Nicolas Beaudin displays his speed and earns his third point of the game against the Monsters in Cleveland.
The Chateauguay skater has been among the most productive guards in the AHL over the past month. Since Nov. 18, he has been shut out of the scoresheet only twice, for a total of 11 points (two goals, nine assists). He has woven a streak of four consecutive games with at least one point, in which he has amassed seven.
Houle likes what Beaudin offers him, whom he describes as “a good playmaker, very intelligent”. He made him his quarterback on the massive offense, a position he kept even with the return of Justin Barron from an injury, and most recently played on the first pair at five against five.
“Right now, I think he’s doing very well on the power play. He produces, welcomed the head coach of the Rocket, Jean-François Houle, in a telephone interview from Syracuse, Tuesday. He plays with confidence and he gets more ice. I think he plays a lot better defensively too.
“It was harder for him at the start, because we had nine healthy defensemen. We had a lot of injuries, so he had more ice. It’s the “fun” to see when the players have opportunities and they seize them.
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The former Drummondville Voltigeurs still had to wait before being thrown into the fray by his head coach upon his arrival. He started from scratch. And the wait was worth it.
“At the beginning, it was a bit long, admitted to TVASports.ca the one who was acquired in return for forward Cam Hillis last October. The coaches and management wanted to be sure that I understood the system and that I would be ready to play.
“When I started, it was two games in the same weekend, and then ‘in and out’ of training. Then we got injured. Since then, I have gained experience and I have been playing on the first wave of the power play for a few games. I’m playing better and better.”
An option on the numerical advantage of CH?
It is known, the big club is having trouble with its massive attack and has the worst success rate in the circuit at 13.7%. However, two of the four recruits in his defensive brigade, Kaiden Guhle and Arber Xhekaj, have attacking potential to exploit.
Would it be crazy to believe that Beaudin, who has 21 games of NHL experience, can help the cause of the Habs’ five-man attack in the short term? The main interested party takes a moment to think about the question.
“I don’t really think about it,” he humbly says. The exchange, for me, was to start from scratch. It took a while, but I’m getting more and more comfortable. I am improving every day.
“For me, the goal is to improve at Laval. I’m focused on helping the team and playing to win.”
Houle offers a clearer explanation for this scenario.
“I think it’s too early, he warns, without ruling out the possibility. We must continue to evaluate it. It happens that organizations let go of a player and that he gains confidence with another team. It gives him a chance to play in the NHL. For him, it would be a good thing, but I don’t think we’ve reached that point.
“It’s a great project. He must continue to defend well. In the NHL, you don’t just have to be an offensive defenseman, you have to be a bit of both.
Throw in the towel on a 23-year-old prospect
Listening to Houle praise his protege makes us question the Blackhawks’ decision to let go of another youngster, after Kirby Dach, four years after making him the 27th overall pick. A riddle.
Beaudin had long felt that a departure elsewhere was becoming necessary, since he felt that they had completely abandoned him, despite his young age.
“I found it fast. I’m only 23, I’m still very young. The best defenders have their best years at 25 or 26. I knew I was going to be successful elsewhere. I wanted to be in this position.
“Even in the American League I didn’t play much. I had too much potential to exploit to stay (in Rockford).
“I have no idea what Chicago thought of him, adds Jean-François Houle. He was two or three years in the organization. Sometimes you let go of hopes. He has a bright future ahead of him and he needs to keep improving. He has plenty of time. Maybe he’ll get another chance soon.”
At the end of the contract
Beaudin’s contract expires this summer. There has been no discussion for a new pact, but his wish is to remain in the organization of the Bleu-blanc-rouge.
“Of course I would like to sign with Montreal for next year. We will see what will happen. They have decisions to make with contracts in the National League and in the NCAA as well.
“For a Quebecer, when you are successful, it’s fun to play at home. It is a dream to be part of the organization. I would like to stay as long as possible.”
Houle could certainly praise the merits of his pupil to the decision makers so that he continues his development in front of his relatives.