Leafs New Minutes Man
Ron Wilson must have figured, "Why wait?"
He obviously intends to play the heck out of defenceman Francois Beauchemin this season, and that process started in the first exhibition game last night against Boston when Beauchemin received 26 minutes of ice time.
Even though the Leafs didn't dress Mike Komisarek, Tomas Kaberle or Luke Schenn, it's a trend likely to continue, with Beauchemin likely to become the club's new No. 1 defenceman in terms of ice time and responsibility.
Kaberle may have more flash, and Komisarek's an imposing figure. But Beauchemin, Leaf fans will learn, is probably the best two-way defencemen the Leafs have had on their roster since Dave Ellett. Just guessing at this point, but Beauchemin and Schenn seem destined to become the first lockdown Leaf defensive pair in a long, long time, a tandem that can be put out in the final minutes of a period or a game to protect a one-goal lead.
Kaberle and Bryan McCabe could attack. But defend when it mattered? Never a strength.
Beauchemin, 29, can also handle power play duties, one of the reasons Hockey Canada saw fit to invite him to the Olympic team's training camp last month in Calgary.
Over the past three seasons in Anaheim, with Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger hogging all the ice time. Beauchemin still averaged more than 25 minutes per game. When the Ducks won the Cup in '07, Beauchemin actually led all Anaheim players in ice time, averaging 30:33 per game in the playoffs while playing an extraordinary 632 shifts in 20 games.
He's not particularly big, but he's tough. He plays with his head up and is obviously fit after being criticized for carrying extra pounds earlier in his career, one of the reasons Columbus let him go to Anaheim in a trade.
There's a little bit of Wendel Clark in Beauchemin, a little bit of the farmer mentality. His father-in-law, incidentally, does run a farm near Sorel, Quebec, and when Beauchemin played in Hamilton several years ago for the AHL Bulldogs, he preferred to live way out in Jerseyville, Ont. in a farming atmosphere.
Others may get more ink on this Leaf team. But if its going to be successful, the quiet, no-nonsense Beauchemin will be the linchpin on the blueline, sucking up all kinds of important minutes.
I liked what I saw from Beauchemin last night. And I hope he doesn't begin to remind me of Dave Ellett.
Posted by: Anthony | September 17, 2009 at 09:30 AM
The Leafs have extra bodies on D, one would think that at least two of them will be packaged away (hopefully in a deal for Kessel). Considering Kabby, Schenn and Komi sat out yesterday, the Leafs held their own in their own end. You kind of imagine how the game would have played out had they been in the lineup. It's an exciting time for us Leafs fans. GO LEAFS GO!
Posted by: Johnny | September 17, 2009 at 10:43 AM
:-) i knew this the moment they signed him. one of the best acvisition by Burke. but funnily enough all the Leafs bashers can talk about is the tough guys he bought it. they will have a very good top-two pairs on the blue line.
Posted by: Peter | September 17, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Good blog! I'm excited for the direction this team seems to be taking!
Posted by: Jamie | September 17, 2009 at 11:50 AM
You must have the wrong memories of Ellett. He was very effective blue liner
Posted by: Corey | September 17, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Couldn't agree more Damien. Best aquisition in the off season by a wide margin.
Posted by: other mark | September 17, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Would Sylvain Lefebvre be a good comparison? He did everything right (but quietly) and logged a lot of ice time.
In some ways, he left a bigger gap than Wendel following the long ago Sundin trade.
Posted by: DSX | September 17, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Beauchemin is easily the most important pick-up Burke has made thus far. Schenn will grow so much if he is destined to be his partner on the blue line. In fact, Team Canada, if he has a great start to the year could do worse in selecting him to play in Vancouver. You need some consistent D-men and he has played with both Pronger and Niedermayer which would be a benefit with the short time the teams get to gel. He will be a delight to watch this year!
Posted by: Doug | September 17, 2009 at 02:28 PM
It was a sloppy game last night, probably expected. But I did like Beauchemin. Phil O was horrible though.
More impressive was Bozak. He was everywhere and never out of position. Stalberg showed some good wheels that I hope will not be wasted on a third line. Better have him play 1st line minutes with Marlies than be a scratch with the Leafs.
Posted by: Matt B | September 17, 2009 at 02:51 PM