Nathan Beaulieu News
Beaulieu was a healthy scratch last game for Anaheim but will be back in the lineup Thursday vs. Dallas. The 29-year-old has three assists and 28 PIMs with a -3 plus/minus through 12 games this season.
Beaulieu has been scratched for three straight games but will replace Simon Benoit in the lineup on Thursday. Beaulieu was a minus-1 in 13:06 TOI in his only game of the season.
Beaulieu was with the Ducks on a PTO and gets a one-year deal to serve as a depth defenseman. Beaulieu likely won't have a full-time role. Similar to last season, when he played just 24 games and averaged 10:46 TOI/gm with the Jets.
Beaulieu is in the final year of a two-year deal that carries a $1.25M AAV cap-hit and is set to become a UFA this summer. Beaulieu has had a tough few seasons in Winnipeg, compiling just 18 points (1G / 17A), 147 hits and 108 blocked shots in 105 games. He's currently on LTIR so this may just be a move to help create more cap space in Pittsburgh.
Beaulieu will miss the rest of March with a lower-body injury after being moved to LTIR on Wednesday. They used the roster spot to recall Ville Heinola from Manitoba (AHL).
Beaulieu suffered a lower-body injury vs. the Stars last Friday and missed Saturday's game vs. the Rangers. With Beaulieu out for an extended period of time, look for Logan Stanley to remain in the Jets' lineup moving forward.
Beaulieu was active from IR before Monday's game but sat out as a healthy scratch. He is expected to replace Logan Stanley on the third pair on Wednesday and it will be his first game since January 27th.
Beaulieu has missed the last nine games with a lower-body injury that he suffered vs. the Canucks on January 27th. It's unclear if he will play on Monday but expect him to replace Logan Stanley if he does.
Beaulieu has been in and out of the Jets lineup all season but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday with Dylan DeMelo going into COVID-19 protocol. Beaulieu has one assist in 15 games this season.
Beaulieu had been playing through a torn labrum and underwent surgery on Thursday, ending his 2021 campaign. With Beaulieu not returning this season, the Jets could be in the market for a blueliner to bolster their depth at the trade deadline.
Beaulieu was hurt midway through Tuesday's win over the Maple Leafs while blocking a shot and head coach Paul Maurice said that he's going to miss multiple weeks. With Beaulieu going on IR, look for Sami Niku to re-enter the lineup on Thursday.
Beaulieu missed the second half of the 2020 season, playing just 38 of the 71 games (53.5%). The offence that he showed at lower-levels has never translated to the NHL but he's a reliable top-4 defenseman for Winnipeg, when he's healthy.