The Colorado Avalanche’s top pairing acquisition from last season, Francois Beauchemin, stops by for his player grade.
The Colorado Avalanche acquired defenseman Francois Beauchemin in free agency last summer. He had spent the previous few seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, and he came to the team with the intensity and discipline characteristic of the Ducks.
Beauchemin was tagged from signing to be a top pairing defenseman, specifically Erik Johnson’s defensive partner. From training camp until the last few games of the season, that’s exactly how the lineup worked. Beauchemin and Johnson even partnered on the first penalty killing and second power play units.
Though already 35 at the time of signing, Beauchemin was also tagged for top minutes. Beauchemin just completed the first of a three-year contract worth $4.5 annually.
So, see how the veteran defenseman did in his first season for the Colorado Avalanche.
Player Statistics
Stats:
| Games |
|---|
PlayedGoalsAssistsPointsGoal % of PointsAssist % of Points 82 8 26 34 23.5% 76.5%Even Strength Goal %PP Goal %SOGShooting %Even Strength Assist %PP Assist % 75% 25% 127 6.3% 57.7% 34.6%
Take AwaysGive AwaysTurnover +/-BlocksHitsTOI per Game 31 41 -10 256 78 25.07
Player Grade: B+
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Francois Beauchemin matched his career year in points and matched his second-best year in goals. He was second only to offensive defenseman Tyson Barrie in leading the d-corps in scoring. Beauchemin led the entire NHL in blocked shots.
Francois Beauchemin certainly came as advertised. He not only ate up big minutes against the top lines, he was a leader on the ice and in the locker room. On more than one occasion I saw him take charge of the defensive corps in the game.
Overall, I was very impressed with Francois Beauchemin. A couple of things kept him from getting an A — though he has received one of the highest grades I’ve given.
First of all, there’s that turnover ratio. The Ducks are a big puck possession team, so no doubt Colorado was looking to integrate that aspect into the team. The absolute last thing they needed was yet another player who turned the puck over too much.
The other problem was that Beauchemin tended to disappear at times. He epitomized the Colorado Avalanche in that he’d follow a few good games with a few lackluster or even awful ones. Again, I’m sure Colorado was looking to boost consistency in acquiring — and paying well — the veteran Francois Beauchemin.
More Player Grades:
- Erik Johnson
- Tyson Barrie
- Jack Skille
- Nathan MacKinnon
- John Mitchell
- Cody McLeod
- Carl Soderberg
- Nick Holden
- Blake Comeau
- Mikhail Grigorenko
- Andreas Martinsen
Player Future
Despite those couple lapses, Francois Beauchemin was one of the most consistent players on the team. The Colorado Avalanche are moving toward big, speedy, gritty players with leadership value who play a two-way game. Beauchemin isn’t speedy, but he otherwise fits the bill pretty well. As such, I doubt he’s on the trade block.
I see Beauchemin taking on more of a leadership and less of a top-pairing role moving forward. Indeed, if an alternate captaincy were to be made available, I could see his taking it on. Even if he doesn’t have a letter, I fully expect Beauchemin to continue instructing the young defenseman on the Avalanche, especially whichever one takes his place on the top pairing.
Next: Are the Avs Clearing the Prospect Pool?
Francois Beauchemin is a warrior and a leader. He was an asset to the Colorado Avalanche, to my mind. Do you agree?