If you're going to have a 5-11 non-physical "puck moving" defenceman..the puck needs to move more often into the opposition net. Diaz has one assist in the past 16 games...one of the reasons he's had a spot was because he was supposed to provide offensive support even strength and on the second power play, but it's not happening.
Since the coaching staff seems incapable of being creative with power play options, instead trotting out set lines and out-of-place defencemen on the second PP unit....Bergevin needed to call up Beaulieu when he started to get hot offensively. The move makes sense and the timing is good.
Let's not forget that there were rumours of Diaz being signed months ago, but as his play has declined..Bergy never pulled the trigger. He's only making $1.2M..so he's expendable if he's looking for a hefty raise.
Diaz wasn't signed by Bergevin...he has no loyalty to him, I have a feeling Bergevin has decided he's the odd man out. I don't expect the Cube to go anywhere...he's a serviceable 7th dman..and no one else is going to trade for him. Murray isn't going anywhere..he'll be a regular on the blueline in the playoffs unless the team plays Detroit or someone like that, even then he may still be playing.....he was a regular on Pitt's blueline last spring, and he played well.
There is a thread that speaks of the club's lack of offence recently....that is in part because of the lack of secondary scoring on the blueline. Beaulieu instantly makes the second PP unit dangerous, and it will allow PK a chance to cut back his ice time a couple of minutes....no more playing 1:30+ on a PP. Like any dman, PK is prone to making errors moreso when he's fatigued.
I don't see the club missing Diaz's puck moving if he's replaced by NB, who is a very good puck mover most of the time. Diaz is a better defender in terms of gap control, agility and positioning, but NB will bring a more physical presence, and not be overwhelmed by aggression. Paired with a smart stay at home guy like Murray, Nate can be aggressive, and play his game. Yes he'll make some mistakes..but the Cube and Diaz are making mistakes too. As are Emelin and Gorges, and with NB in the lineup..if he's playing well, he's a top four defenceman who can replace Emelin or Gorges in the top four if either are struggling.
Last night it was glaringly apparent that a defensive center with size is also needed. When even Kyle Turris is running roughshod, you know there is an issue. Other than Pleks, the club's not that good on faceoffs - Nattinen will provide some much needed intangibles to a checking line role - grit, smarts, faceoffs, size. If Nattinen shows he can handle NHL speed, Whitey may have lost his fourth line spot.
Last two games it became obvious that some changes were necessary...the team needed some new blood - some complacency looked to be setting in. I give Bergevin credit for finally realizing the current lineup wasn't cutting it, and if adjustments weren't made pronto, this team could quickly find itself in an unnecessary battle to stay in a playoff spot. The Habs don't score that fourth goal, and suddenly the Sens are within five points in the standings. Not good enough.
Also he gives the Habs a RH/C with proficiency in faceoffs, giving Plekanec a break from taking defensive zone faceoffs.
