Jets throw Beaulieuinto the fire

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/02/2019 (2384 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Even before just-acquired Winnipeg Jets defenceman Nathan Beaulieu could learn the names of all his new teammates, he found out he’d be playing in the top pairing Tuesday night next to Jacob Trouba.

With Dustin Byfuglien and Joe Morrow still out of the lineup, and head coach Paul Maurice informing media earlier in the day that regular Trouba partner Josh Morrissey will likely miss the rest of the regular season after getting injured in Arizona during the game against the Coyotes on Sunday, there’s no time to ease Beaulieu into the lineup.

“This is the opportunity that I wanted and hoped for,” said Beaulieu, acquired by the Jets from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a sixth-round pick before the NHL’s trade deadline Monday afternoon.

“Obviously, I’m in a position right now where there’s a chance for me to really make an impression, and that’s what they want me to do, just play my game and just try to help this team win.”

Beaulieu played 15 minutes and 28 seconds in his Jets debut, registering two hits and two shots on goal.

The 26-year-old defenceman saw action in 30 games with the Sabres this season, picking up three goals, four assists and 32 penalty minutes while averaging just under 15 minutes of ice time.

The 6-2, 200-pound blue-liner was selected 17th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2011 NHL draft. Beaulieu spent his first five seasons with the Habs before being traded to the Sabres prior to the 2017-18 season for a third-round draft pick.

In 314 career NHL games, Beaulieu has 76 points (11 goals, 65 assists) and 220 penalty minutes.

“He’s got some bite to his game,” Maurice said Tuesday as the Jets prepared to take on the Minnesota Wild at Bell MTS Place.

“I’ve always liked that. In the nights we’ve played against him, he’s gotten one or two pretty good hits. I’m not suggesting that he runs around, but he’s got some bite and he closes the gap quick. He’s kind of a north defender. He’ll come into (the) play to defend instead of giving ice to defend. So, we like that quickness and we like that bite.”

Beaulieu doesn’t think it will take long to get accustomed to playing with his new partner.

“It’s exciting. I know it’s part of being a pro, a transition like this,” he said after his first practice with the team. “It’s kind of how we’re wired, you kind of have to go with the flow. It’s a quick turnover, but I’ve played against Trouba for five years now and I know he’s a great player. I don’t think it will be that difficult for me to transition.”

Former Jet, and Beaulieu’s Sabres teammate Zach Bogosian, reached out to some Winnipeg players on Beaulieu’s behalf. Bogosian, who was a mentor to Trouba during his time with the team, spent three full seasons with the Jets before being involved in the Evander Kane trade midway through the 2014-15 season.

“He sent a couple texts to introduce me to a couple guys, so it’s been an easy transition,” Beaulieu said.

Having played in Montreal, Beaulieu knows about playing in a Canadian market with high expectations. It’s one of the things he’s most excited about.

“You always dream of playing in a market like this,” the native of Strathroy, Ont., said. “Obviously, when this team came back, it was exciting for the league and for Canada. Being in Montreal, you kind of learn the ups and downs of how fun it is to win, and when losing, it’s tough. That’s where you want to be. You want to feel the passion of the city. Every time you play here you know you’re going to get a loud crowd with some intense fans.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31