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Dans les coulisses

Nathan Beaulieu joins David Reinbacher’s team in Switzerland

When Nathan Beaulieu was drafted by the Canadiens, the club hoped to see him become an offensive powerhouse on the blue line. But you know as well as I do that, in the end, it never happened.

The Ontario defenseman ultimately failed to stay in Montreal. He was traded to the Sabres in June 2017 for a third-round pick, who became another Trevor Timmins Scott Walford circuit.

Thereafter, Beaulieu rolled his hump. Whether in Buffalo, Winnipeg or Anaheim, he collected ordinary seasons to fill a jersey. He also belonged to the Penguins, but never got to play for the club.

Last year, it was via a PTO (professional tryout) that the defenseman found a job. He did well at the Ducks camp, who subsequently offered him a one-season contract.

But this season, he didn’t have the same luck in Carolina. He signed a PTO, but was unable to turn it into an NHL contract.

But now we learn that the defenseman has signed a contract to play field hockey… in Switzerland. He’s heading for Kloten for the rest of his career.

Of course, it’s interesting in the sense that Beaulieu brings a wealth of experience to his new team, which is led by CH alumnus Gerry Fleming.

But what’s really interesting is that Beaulieu is joining David Reinbacher’s team.

In both cases, we’re talking about Canadian first-round picks. Obviously, Reinbacher should have a more successful career in Montreal than Nathan Beaulieu, for absolutely obvious reasons.

I respect his 471 NHL regular-season games, but he still hasn’t scored in the Bettman circuit since the pandemic began three and a half years ago.

Anyway. All that to say, let’s hope Reinbacher learns from Beaulieu, whether it’s from his good moves… but mostly from his mistakes.

Let’s not forget that Reinbacher, who has a knee injury, is still not back in action for Kloten, a club languishing at the bottom of the Swiss league standings.

In bursts

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– The Rangers can win the World Series tonight. They lead the series 3-1.