Free agency is finally here, the day that hockey fans have been waiting for. There were many big moves to open up the free agency period. One signing that has happened today is defensemen Francois Beauchemin signing a three-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche. The deal will have an annual salary of three million dollars per year.
Last season for the Ducks, Beauchemin had 11 goals, 12 assist, with a plus-minus of plus-17 in 64 games played. Last season, he was fantastic defensively as he was a big part of the defense that brought the Ducks to the playoffs. His offense was an integral part as well; they made it to the playoffs making it to the Western Conference Finals losing to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Beauchemin is a great veteran defensemen who is not just a fantastic defender but can make plays on offense as well. He can check well, an asset on the penalty kill, and can be a great locker room leader. On the Colorado Avalanche, he will be a good mentor on the team which was one of the youngest teams in the league. Defense was one of the biggest downfalls of a Colorado team that made the playoffs two years ago so this signing will help solve some of those problems.
Colorado is going to be getting a great locker room leader as he can me a mentor to the young defensemen like Tyson Barrie. He can put up 20 or more points offensively which is a bonus. He will most likely be on the top-six defensive pairing. As of now, he looks to be the Avalanche's third best defender which would mean he would be inserted into the second line behind Barrie and Erik Johnson.
The leadership he brings will hopefully rub off on the young guys of the Avalanche. He will still be on a playoff contending team in Colorado and can hopefully bring them deep into the playoffs as he did with Anaheim.