D Beauchemin rejoins GM Burke in Toronto
Former Anaheim Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin signed a three-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday.
The signing reunites the physical defenseman with Toronto general manager Brian Burke, who was Beauchemins GM with the Ducks.
I try to play an aggressive style of game, Beauchemin said during a conference call. Solid in the D-zone, I try to contribute offensively when I can, I just try to be hard to play against.
The 29-year-old Beauchemin missed 62 games last season due to a knee injury last season, but returned to play in the final two regular-season games and all 13 playoff contests for Anaheim.
Francois will be a welcome addition to our blue-line, Burke said. Hes a rock solid, steady defender that will add character to our team.
In other moves Monday, the Maple Leafs gave Nazem Kadri, the seventh overall pick in last months NHL draft, a three-year entry level deal. Toronto re-signed forwards Ben Ondrus and Ryan Hamilton to one-year contracts and added free-agent forwards Jay Rosehill (two years), Tim Brent (one year) and Richard Greenop (three-year, entry level contract).