Nathan Beaulieu

[Sterling Archer]

It looks like at this point, the Habs need more toughness on the back end than skill.
Markov, Kaberle, Diaz, Weber and eventually PK are all ahead of Beaulieu at this point as he learns his craft. Whereas we only have Bouillon as a more physical defenseman and PK when he signs. Not a slight to him at all. He'd have been invited to a regular camp.

 

[Galchenioretty]

lol not everyone develops as fast as PK did. He has a lot of raw talent but a ways to go. He's still a top prospect and frankly I'm surprised at some of the hate he gets here.

 

[habsfanatics*]

Beaulieu had a a few weeks adjustment in the AHL where he was good, then bad, then pretty good again. Looking at the shots he was generating, it was a matter of time before he started adding some assists. Beaulieu will come around and be a solid top 4 guy for the future, however, he is not there yet.

 

[JGRB]

The funny thing is the haters, and especially those on the main board like to dismiss Beaulieu entirely because of his lack of defensive polish and his decision making... The exact same comments they were making about Subban 4-5 years ago. Now most praise him and want him on their team.

At the same age I'd say Beaulieu is actually a little better defensively and Subban was a little better offensively.. He's going to take some time but he's going to make it. His first pass is crisp and he's an excellent skater(his backwards skating needs a little work though).

 

[RC51]

when subban first played for the habs we know he was sat down because he would make a mad rush up the ice too many times. Coaches needed to teach him to pick his spots less often. I does not matter if subban was right to charge up the ice. The fact is his teammates never knew when he was about to do it which left the back end confused while he was on a rush. Someone has to have subban's back when he takes off. All this must be worked out in practice. So subban was told to calm down a bit.
If you have seen Beaulieu play is guilty of exactly the same thing right now in hamilton. He takes off 20 time a game. Don't get me wrong, the fact that he CAN do all this is great, he is just doing it a bit too much.

 

[Analyzer*]

Despite what many people here think Beaulieu hasn't done well so far. He hasn't done bad either. He still makes a lot of dumb plays.

However I think even being called up for the practice Sunday and Monday then sent back
Would have helped.

Oh well. Next year.

Commodore is here not for teh lulz but because he's been alright in the Ahl and is a type of dman the Habs could use for a year... Or half a year

 

[Roulin]

The funny thing is the haters, and especially those on the main board like to dismiss Beaulieu entirely because of his lack of defensive polish and his decision making... The exact same comments they were making about Subban 4-5 years ago. Now most praise him and want him on their team.

At the same age I'd say Beaulieu is actually a little better defensively and Subban was a little better offensively.. He's going to take some time but he's going to make it. His first pass is crisp and he's an excellent skater(his backwards skating needs a little work though).

IMO that's very, very wrong. By the 2010 playoff Subban was doing a shockingly good job of covering Sidney Crosby. Beaulieu's not close to that level. He doesn't have anything near the quickness or strength that allows Subban to recover from mistakes.

 

[DAChampion]

IMO that's very, very wrong. By the 2010 playoff Subban was doing a shockingly good job of covering Sidney Crosby. Beaulieu's not close to that level. He doesn't have anything near the quickness or strength that allows Subban to recover from mistakes.

Subban is still playing against the perception from his draft year that he was going to be a 3rd pairing power play specialist at best, a poor man's Kaberle.

It's due to the stereotype that offensively competent dmen are defensively incompetent.

 

[Paul Dipietro]

I gotta say that I am shocked that the Habs aren`t taking a closer look at Beaulieu...I realize that this is not a regular training camp situation BUT, I watched the last two Bulldogs games on TV and I thought Beaulieu looked amazing. He has really improved since the beginning of the season. I had the pleasure of watching him play in St John NB during his junior days and this guy can move the puck big time. He looked like the best D man on the Dogs PP IMO (and St Denis looked great as well)).

I think that's the key right there. Beaulieu will only benefit from more time spent in the AHL.

Whereas Tinordi is more of a what-you-see-is-what-you-get no-nonsense type of player. Sure, he'll likely be sent back at the end of the week, but given his size and his style of play (especially when compared to the projected top 6-7 D), they just HAD to have a closer look

 

[Habs Icing]

I gotta say that I am shocked that the Habs aren`t taking a closer look at Beaulieu...I realize that this is not a regular training camp situation BUT, I watched the last two Bulldogs games on TV and I thought Beaulieu looked amazing. He has really improved since the beginning of the season. I had the pleasure of watching him play in St John NB during his junior days and this guy can move the puck big time. He looked like the best D man on the Dogs PP IMO (and St Denis looked great as well)).

I think management looked at one week training camp and at their roster and figured to let Beaulieu continue with his progress.

I've seen most of the Bulldogs games and I feel Beaulieu has played as well as Tinordi. But what Beaulieu can bring to the Habs to some degree they already have on the big team: Markov, Subban, Kaberle, Diaz & Weber. What Tinordi can bring we only have Boullion, Georges and Emelin maybe.

I think the decision was based on what we already have on the big team.

 

[jhjhjhjhjhjh*]

At last years' camp? P.K came off an impressive rookie season in the NHL and dominated the AHL, something Beaulieu hasn't done yet. At 20, P.K. was way ahead of Beaulieu in his development too.

Dominated the AHL the year before his rookie season I meant.

P.k was also 20 years old when his AHL season started...P.k also had a very good team and finished with 52 wins... This years team is very young and will need to get used to the AHL... I don't know why you would say that P.K was WAY ahead, that's just a dumb thing to say. You probably don't consider age to be a factor at all either huh? Have you watched Beaulieu play this season?

 

[jhjhjhjhjhjh*]

when subban first played for the habs we know he was sat down because he would make a mad rush up the ice too many times. Coaches needed to teach him to pick his spots less often. I does not matter if subban was right to charge up the ice. The fact is his teammates never knew when he was about to do it which left the back end confused while he was on a rush. Someone has to have subban's back when he takes off. All this must be worked out in practice. So subban was told to calm down a bit.
If you have seen Beaulieu play is guilty of exactly the same thing right now in hamilton. He takes off 20 time a game. Don't get me wrong, the fact that he CAN do all this is great, he is just doing it a bit too much.

I have watched about 20 games this season and Beaulieu did not take off too much, he picked the right times to do it and hasn't had alot of problems with his decision making when he was leading the rush, he mostly seemed to look for the pass and lugged the puck up the ice when it was absolutely needed. He has also gained alot of confidence and is starting to play like the Beaulieu I saw in Saint John. He is starting to drastically improve in the defensive zone, overall he has adjusted well to the AHL speed which is what is always concerning for offensive defensemen and doesn't try to do too much as you've said.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

People need to realize he just turned 20 last month, give him another full year in the AHL after this. No need to rush him at all, let him gain some muscle and continue to improve in the AHL.

 

[Myron Gaines*]

P.k was also 20 years old when his AHL season started...P.k also had a very good team and finished with 52 wins... This years team is very young and will need to get used to the AHL... I don't know why you would say that P.K was WAY ahead, that's just a dumb thing to say. You probably don't consider age to be a factor at all either huh? Have you watched Beaulieu play this season?

I have watched Beaulieu, he's nowhere near close of what Subban was. They both had different junior careers in different leagues. So not surprising that Subban's defensive game was a bit more polished than Beaulieu's at the same age.

I take age into consideration, that's why I brought it up.

 

[Myron Gaines*]

Doesn't mean that I think Beaulieu wont never reach Subban's level, each learning curve is different and to be honest, I don't see the point into making this a P.K vs Nathan thread.

 

[PricePkPatch*]

Doesn't mean that I think Beaulieu wont never reach Subban's level, each learning curve is different and to be honest, I don't see the point into making this a P.K vs Nathan thread.

That's a great idea!!

 

[Paul Dipietro]

People need to realize he just turned 20 last month, give him another full year in the AHL after this. No need to rush him at all, let him gain some muscle and continue to improve in the AHL.

Exactly. When comparing his situation with Galchenyuk and Tinordi:

We "need" a guy like Galchenyuk in the lineup
We "could certainly use" a guy like Tinordi

Promoting Beaulieu right now would be like adding a faster/sexier yet unproven version of Kaberle

 

[jhjhjhjhjhjh*]

Exactly. When comparing his situation with Galchenyuk and Tinordi:

We "need" a guy like Galchenyuk in the lineup
We "could certainly use" a guy like Tinordi

Promoting Beaulieu right now would be like adding a faster/sexier yet unproven version of Kaberle

Did you mention the faster/sexier/notready version of kaberle haha. He's just getting used to the AHL and is now coming into his own. He's been playing great recently and I'm glad he wasn't invited to the camp.

 

[jhjhjhjhjhjh*]

Doesn't mean that I think Beaulieu wont never reach Subban's level, each learning curve is different and to be honest, I don't see the point into making this a P.K vs Nathan thread.

I wasn't trying to create an argument, sorry.

 

[Kingbobert]

let him develop
he's not ready yet and it will hinder him.

I do see him are part of our core though.
In 2 years he's going to be a shoe in for our D core.

 

[Monctonscout]

I gotta say that I am shocked that the Habs aren`t taking a closer look at Beaulieu...I realize that this is not a regular training camp situation BUT, I watched the last two Bulldogs games on TV and I thought Beaulieu looked amazing. He has really improved since the beginning of the season. I had the pleasure of watching him play in St John NB during his junior days and this guy can move the puck big time. He looked like the best D man on the Dogs PP IMO (and St Denis looked great as well)).

They can't call up the whole Hamilton team they play Tuesday and Wednesday. Plus Beaulieu has very little chance of cracking the Habs with 7 NHL veterans plus St.Denis Commodore and Tinordi.

 

[Habblues]

I didn`t expect him to crack the habs lineup, and iF this w regular camp he`d be there.......I do predict him to be as good if not better than Subban.......I can`t understand why Montreal is the ONLY team in the league that does NOT want an offensive D man....Why is that ? I think both PK and Nathan will be better than doughty within time AND if they`re permitted to rush the puck like I know they can....

 

[DogsFan*]

Beaulieu is not close to good enough defensively for the NHL yet.

 

[Dharvey33]

well Dougie Hamilton didn't impress me at all at the juniors and he was drafted the same year. Let him time to developp i think next year he will come the camp confident and might make the team, he has turnover problems but nothing that cannot be solved.

I like the fact that he has mean aspect in his game he is not the guy that hits a lot but when he does he dishes out a good hit. He is far from being soft, i think he has the potential to be a 40-50 points 1st paring two way dman a la Brian Campbell.

 

[lamp9post]

well Dougie Hamilton didn't impress me at all at the juniors and he was drafted the same year. Let him time to developp i think next year he will come the camp confident and might make the team, he has turnover problems but nothing that cannot be solved.

I like the fact that he has mean aspect in his game he is not the guy that hits a lot but when he does he dishes out a good hit. He is far from being soft, i think he has the potential to be a 40-50 points 1st paring two way dman a la Brian Campbell.

I wish he would hit more though. The purpose of hitting is not always to hurt the player, you do it to stop the opponent. Beaulieu is much too passive in this regard in the defensive zone. He needs to use his body to break up plays more, and you don't have to be a physical beast to do it. Gorges and Diaz are good examples of guys who are not huge but aren't afraid to throw their bodies in the way to disrupt a play. Beaulieu needs to take a lesson from these guys.