Just in: Montreal Canadiens Prospect Has Contract Terminated
The Montreal Canadiens are actively seeking to acquire more draft picks and young players before the trade deadline. This is a normal part of their rebuilding strategy, as they are currently in the process of rejuvenating their team. While they will continue to bring in young talent in the following weeks, they have unfortunately experienced a setback in their defensive prospects.
Nicolas Beaudin has been put on waivers today with the intention of terminating his contract. If he clears waivers tomorrow, his contract will be terminated, and he will have the freedom to sign with any team as an unrestricted free agent. It’s worth noting that he was originally expected to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
Beaudin, a 24-year-old defenseman who shoots left, was originally chosen in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. He had a stint with them, playing 22 NHL games and recording six points. He also demonstrated his offensive potential in the AHL.
In October 2022, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Cam Hillis. Last season, Beaudin had an impressive performance with the Laval Rocket, scoring 25 points in 39 games. This is considered noteworthy for a defenseman in the American Hockey League.
However, it appears that Beaudin has been surpassed by a few other defensemen in the Canadiens organization this year, particularly Jayden Struble.
Consequently, Beaudin has experienced a decrease in playing time with the Laval Rocket and has even been left out of the lineup on some occasions. In the 16 games he has played this season, he managed to accumulate six points. Given the critical stage of his development, he is seeking alternate opportunities.
When assessing the depth chart, Beaudin has observed that there are several other defensemen ahead of him on the left side, including Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj, Jordan Harris, and Xhekaj once again. Additionally, Lane Hutson is expected to join the team in the near future.
It became apparent to Beaudin that his future with the Montreal Canadiens was uncertain, prompting both parties to reach a mutual agreement to part ways. Being a native of Chateauguay, Quebec, this decision was made with careful consideration
