The grizzled veteran of the Anaheim blueline had yet another respectable season on paper but is starting to show some signs of his age. As a result Bob Murray saw fit to let his longest-tenured defenseman walk away at the start of free agency.
Since the 2007 Stanley Cup title and the following departures of Scott Neidermayer and Chris Pronger, one name has become synonomous when you bring up the Anaheim Ducks defense: Francois Beauchemin. Beauchemin is the franchise leader in games played in a Ducks uniform amongst defensemen, passing Neidermayer earlier this season, and has been the solid, go-to guy for coach Bruce Boudreau ever since he was brought back.