Former Montreal Canadiens first-round pick Nathan Beaulieu will be looking to break into the hard-fought Carolina Hurricanes roster this fall after completing a pro tryout with the team.
The 30-year-old defenseman has played 471 games in the National Hockey League since being drafted 17th overall in the 2011 draft. After five seasons with CH, he set his sights on Buffalo, then Winnipeg, and finally Anaheim.
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In 2022-2023 with the Ducks, he was forced into a stint in the American League, his first since 2014-2015 with the Hamilton Bulldogs. In California, he has just four assists and maintained a -23 difference in 52 games.
The task will be difficult in Carolina, as the “Canes” already have an excellent group on the blue line. Jaccob Slavin, Dmitry Orlov, Brent Burns, Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce and Tony DeAngelo are expected to play in all three pairs, while Jalen Chatfield, Dylan Coghlan and Caleb Jones will be fighting for a spot at the big club.