A writeup on Beaudin from the start of this season
Prospect Countdown: #12 Jean-Christophe Beaudin
#12: Jean-Christophe Beaudin - Last Seasons Rank #7
Many people are aware of JC Beaudin, many of which were a little disappointed after his first pro season, some even a little concerned. While he did slide in my rankings from last season there is absolute no reason to be concerned, at least not yet anyways. Ironically, Beaudin was apart of the first round of reassignments from the Avs today, following a preseason game in which pretty much everyone looked lackluster. Not a huge surprise for him not ending up with the Avs, that was virtually guaranteed, just a little surprising so early compared to some of the guys that are still around. Beaudin was apart of the Avs 2015 draft class. He was selected in the third round at 71st overall. He's listed at 6'1" 185lbs, which looks pretty accurate. When you see him skate and play you can easily see a build/frame that will easily translate to pro hockey.
Beaudin played three full season in the QMJHL for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. He posted 14 goals and 53 points in 68 games heading into his draft year. That was appealing enough for the Avs to use their third round pick on him. He improved his totals in his second year to 33 goals and 82 points in 58 games, this was actually his best regular season performance as he saw his numbers drop slightly in his final season to 30 goals and 80 points in 65 games. However, an impressive post season even raised hopes and excitement for the prospect as he netted 8 goals and 20 points in 13 games.
It was last year that Beaudin made that jump to pro hockey. Rarely is the jump to pro hockey the smoothest thing in a young players career, and Beaudin hit his fair share of bumps along the way. Between injuries and healthy scratches he only suited up for 64 regular season games. Even more curious to many fans was the fact that he only suited up in 34 games for the Rampage last season. In those 34 games he posted 2 goals and 5 assists. Which when you look at the statline does seem alarming. However for Beaudin stats don't tell the story. Like I said it was a rough transition. For starters he wasn't seeing consistent ice time in San Antonio. The coaching staff did a real good job botching this one. It was puzzling all the way around. He basically split time as either a healthy scratch or as a third or fourth line center fighting for bare minimum minutes playing in a checking role. That's not his style of play. He is a top six style of player and has never been asked to play a defensive checking role like that before. Add in an injury and you can imagine how hard it would be for him to find his rhythm. You actually really started seeing himself play his style of game and play more freely, you could just see his level of comfort rising when he spent more time with the Eagles. He was asked to play a pretty big role for the team as well. In 30 regular season games he scored 7 goals and 27 points. He was vital for the teams playoff push where he scored 18 points in 22 games, helping the Eagles win their second consecutive Kelly Cup.
Like I said, Beaudin's style is definitely fit more for an offensive role. He doesn't have lights outs crazy skill that makes you think you have a a sure fire top 6 guy at the NHL level. But he certainly has the skill to play top 6 minutes in the CHL, ECHL and even AHL in my mind. He's a guy that even if he is used in a consistent third line scoring role I can see him succeed, even at the AHL level. He is definitely more of a play maker. He is a pass first kind of guy. Has the ability to sneak it past the goalie but his vision is definitely a strength to his game. Not the best all around two way forward, when it comes to defensively his game could use some work. That is one spot he will struggle is matching up against other teams top lines when he doesn't have the puck. His skating is about average, obviously good enough to put him in great scoring opportunities but nothing the scouts are going to write home about. He shows flashes of using his above average size to his advantage, you would really like to see him get more physically defensively but you can see him as a young 21 year old figuring out how to use it best.
What to expect: When it comes to wondering what to expect out of Beaudin, short term I think it is a pretty safe bet. For starters I would be shocked to see him play anywhere else than in Loveland with the Eagles this season. Maybe a short stint outside but I think he'll pretty much be a staple up there. Furthermore I think, depending on how the Avs roster shakes out you are looking at him playing a middle 6 role at the center position. Best case scenario I think you are looking at the 2nd line center for the Eagles, worst case, he plays predominately the third line center role. Realistically more so though I would expect him to float back and forth between the two lines. Getting a full season in the AHL will be great for his development and his confidence as well. Both will be very much needed in the continuation of his development and growth. He is a skill player there is no doubt about it. A lot of the projections on his long term outlook will depend on how these next two seasons go for him, especially this upcoming one. I think his highest ceiling is a second liner at the NHL level, but I wouldn't put any money on it. I tink he projects to be more of a third line scoring guy, maybe a middle sixer depending on how deep the clubs are that he plays on. However all things considered, I expect him to take a pretty significant jump forward as far as his development is concerned.