The Chicago Blackhawks added another defensemen with their second pick and 27th overall in the first round of Friday night’s NHL Draft, selecting Nicolas Beaudin from the QMJHL.
Beaudin is a 5-foot-11, 180-pound Canadian who is just 18 years old with a scouting report that reads quite similar to that of Adam Boqvist, who the Hawks selected with the No. 8 pick in Friday’s first round. Beaudin is a left-handed shot with plus-skating ability that allows him to thrive in offensive situations. His best trait is his ability to move the puck, a key factor in the 57 assists — along with 12 goals — that he amassed during 68 games with the Drummondville Voltigeurs last season. He didn’t slow down in the playoffs, either, adding 11 more points in 10 postseason games.
Like Boqvist, Beaudin is another undersized defenseman but at a young enough age to add some pounds that would help alleviate the issue. Our colleagues had at Habs Eyes on the Prize had a lenghty article on Beaudin with multiple videos that showcase his passing ability along with the required vision to see the passing lanes when they’re available. There are plenty more plays to enjoy in this lengthy highlight video:
Beaudin isn’t afraid to finish scoring rushes by himself, either, as this clip indicates:
But the flaws in Beaudin’s games are the same ones associated with most offensive defensemen: struggles in the defensive half of the rink. This scouting report from McKeen’s Hockey, as tweeted by 670 The Score’s Jay Zawaski, highlights Beaudin’s struggles to maintain the proper “gap” while on defense:
Not going to pretend to know a lot about Beaudin, but the folks at @mckeenshockey know stuff. They have him ranked as their 55th overall prospect. pic.twitter.com/5y76RRT1kn
— Jay Zawaski (@JayZawaski670) June 23, 2018
For one final highlight, here’s a GIF tweeted by Corey Pronman from The Athletic moments after the Hawks added Beaudin to the organization:
Nicolas Beaudin pic.twitter.com/vmBdbgDRFc
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 23, 2018
While meeting with the media, Beaudin said he emulates one of the top defensemen on the Toronto Maple Leafs:
Blueliner Nicolas Beaudin says he models his style of play after defenseman Jake Gardiner. #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/6YcEobwH5G
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 23, 2018
We’ll have more on the Blackhawks latest addition over the weekend.