Colorado Avalanche: Nicolas Meloche and J.C. Beaudin Bring Missing Attributes to Team

The Colorado Avalanche recently signed Nicolas Meloche and Jean-Christophe Beaudin to entry-level contracts. Both players add some depth to parts of the roster where the Avs need it the most.

On Monday, the Colorado Avalanche announced the signing of Nicolas Meloche and Jean-Christophe Beaudin to entry-level contracts.

I like the way that Mike Chambers is thinking there too because both Butcher and Jost should be signed by the Avs ASAP.

Anyway, Meloche’s contract is reportedly worth 761,000 for three years. Meanwhile, Beaudin’s contract is reportedly worth 683,000 over three years.

Both prospects have been some of the better talent in the Avs’ system since being drafted, and both project as NHL players within a few years.

Furthermore, Meloche and Beaudin also bring some important attributes to the Avs roster. Each player is a right-handed shot, and they both fulfill a need within the Avs’ system at their respective positions.

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The Colorado Avalanche always need more depth at defense, but Meloche’s right-hand shot from the point will be an important part of the Avs roster in the near future.

And, the Avs are also extremely light on right-wing depth, so Beaudin figures to be an important piece in organizational depth.

Beaudin plays center as well, surprising right? But, he’s probably better utilized on the right wing for now, considering the lack of depth the Avs have there.

Nicolas Meloche has the Potential to Replace Tyson Barrie

Even after Tyson Barrie’s three point night against the Carolina Hurricanes, how much longer can the Avs stand his defensive ineptitude?

Sure, Barrie is still on pace for nearly 40 points during a bad year, and a year where he’s missed eight games due to injury. If he were going to play all 82 games, he’d be on pace for 44 points.

However, he has a turnover ratio of -23, which is the worst on the team. He’s also only a 48.6 percent Corsi-for player this season, which is not that great.

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He is certainly one of the more premier puck-moving defensemen in the entire league, but his defensive woes are hindering his usefulness.

And, he is also getting paid an average of 5.5 million for the next three seasons after this one.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Meloche sports the whole package. He is 6 foot 3 and 205 pounds, and plays both ends of the ice. Below is the scouting report from the year the Avs drafted him No. 40 overall:

"A smooth skating defenceman who can put up points, utilizing his strength behind his shot, and plays with an edge. Has very good awareness on the ice, and notices possible scoring chances before they happen. Very intelligent defensively and makes high percentage decisions in his own end. When at the top of his game, Nicolas Meloche can be a game-changing, physical two-way defenceman."

He’s having a real productive year in the QMJHL as well, with 42 points between two teams in 55 games.

He’s become more defensively sound since being drafted, and projects as a legitimate top four defender. He needs at least one year in the AHL, but the ceiling is high for Meloche.

Let’s move onto to Jean-Christophe Beaudin.

J.C. Beaudin Will Likely Be A Great Third Line Player

The Colorado Avalanche now have a nice bit of depth on their roster moving forward.

With the likely graduations of J.T. Compher and A.J. Greer to the NHL club next season, the Avs already possess some nice looking depth.

However, Matt Nieto and Sven Andrighetto also bring some necessary depth to the organization, if the Avs decide to hold onto both players. And now there’s J.C. Beaudin who can also be added to that depth.

The one thing that Greer, Andrighetto and Nieto don’t bring is a right-hand shot. And, that’s where Beaudin will come into play.

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He could certainly develop into a top six forward, but that is very unlikely. However, he is almost certain to develop into a third line quality player. And, even if he busts at the third line too, he’ll be useful on the fourth line at either center or wing.

Most importantly though, is the depth that Beaudin will bring to San Antonio next year. Greer and Compher will graduate to the NHL next season, and their spots will need to be filled.

Beaudin provides the ability to take over for Compher at the center position. And the Avs will be able to figure out the hole that Greer is going to leave behind.

So, Beaudin is not going to impact the NHL club immediately, but he will down the line. In the meantime, he provides the Avs with a formidable center to employ down in San Antonio.

Conclusion

J.C. Beaudin and Nicolas Meloche are not going to provide the Colorado Avalanche with immediate fixes in the roster, but they both bring attributes that the Avs are currently missing.

Of the two, Meloche is probably more exciting, but Beaudin is going to bring a lot of skill to the bottom of the lineup whenever he joins the team.

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The future is starting to be sculpted in Avalanche territory. Both Beaudin and Meloche figure to be large parts of the team’s future.

Keep an eye on their development next season, and throughout the remainder of this season.