In defenseman Francois Beauchemin, the Anaheim Ducks saw what the Colorado Avalanche could not. Ducks general manager Bob Murray wants Beauchemin, 37, to tutor his young defensemen and be a leader in the locker room, whether he’s playing or not.
Months ago before the Avalanche bought out the final year of Beauchemin’s contract ($4.5 million), I had the same thoughts when learning Colorado intends to introduce three young defensemen to the league. I thought Beauchemin, an alternate captain last season, would be the ideal mentor, a player/coach who would not disrupt the locker room if he was assigned a third-pairing role, or even being told he was a healthy scratch.