The Montreal Canadiens plan to terminate the contract of defenceman Nicolas Beaudin, placing him on unconditional waivers to begin that process.
Acquired early last season for Cam Hillis, Beaudin had signed a one-year contract extension in the off-season to stay with the Laval Rocket, but dressed for just 16 of the team’s first 40 games. He registered six assists in that time.
He had played 22 NHL games in the Chicago Blackhawks organization before joining the Canadiens, but the 2018 first-round pick entered a system loaded with left-handed defenceman and couldn’t claim a regular spot on the Habs’ minor-league affiliate. This move will let him seek a better opportunity elsewhere, and will free up a contract slot as the NHL trade deadline approaches, leaving Montreal at 45 of the maximum of 50.
