by Blain Potvin, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

Nathan Beaulieu, the 2011 first round selection of the Montreal Canadiens is a smooth-skating defenseman who has had flashes of brilliance followed by periods of lethargy. His inconsistent play has been his Achilles’ heel. However, when paired with a strong veteran, he has played his best hockey. His most notable jump in confidence came when paired with Sergei Gonchar.

Beaulieu has made headlines this summer with his comments on analytics at Michel Therrien’s charity Golf Tournament, saying “I don’t believe in analytics and all that stuff. I believe we’re going to produce. I’m not worried about it.”   As well as Beaulieu spoke in defense of team Captain Max Pacioretty on Twitter over the media fabricated controversy of his leadership.

https://twitter.com/natebeaulieu/status/775885684372635648

Some online pundits have openly questioned Marc Bergevin’s position that he is at least willing to listen on offers for Nathan Beaulieu and have pointed to these outspoken moments as a possible reason for that position. However, that would not be in line with Bergevin’s previous actions.

Defending teammates on or off the ice is placed in a high regard in the Montreal Canadiens’ organization.  After the blockbuster deal this past summer, Bergevin is likely looking to go all in and fulfill his five year plan of building a contender in Montreal. The question should be: can Beaulieu help the team, in Montreal, or as part of a trade?

With a healthy squad, there is no doubt that last year’s team would have had another good year. However, how would they have done in the playoffs? Would it have been another close call in the Eastern Conference Final? Would it have been another second round defeat? This is the focus for Marc Bergevin: the playoffs.

As the team’s success and failure is judged not on how many regular season points they earn, but how deep they go in the playoffs. And defense wins championships.

With that in mind one look at the right side of Montreal’s top six on the blueline and we see it is very well represented with Shea Weber, Jeff Petry and Greg Pateryn.  The left side however is a different story. An aging Andrei Markov is no longer a bonafide full time top pairing defenseman. Alexei Emelin is a number four or five defenseman, but is not known as a puck moving defenseman nor is he capable of shouldering top pairing responsibilities. Mark Barberio can be a solid third pairing defenseman. Mikhail Sergachev is a top prospect but would likely be better served playing in the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires who are hosting the Memorial Cup. This leaves a young and inconsistent Nathan Beaulieu.

This is a make-or-break season for the 23-year-old Beaulieu in a Canadiens uniform. Will he reach his full potential and become a top two or three defenseman or will his inconsistent play leave him as shuttling between a second and third pairing?

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Beaulieu’s style of play is reminiscent of Roman Josi the former defensive partner of Shea Weber. Beaulieu is capable of being physical, yet is more comfortable carrying the puck and making quick passes to add speed to the transition game. Beaulieu can play a consistent and confident game when paired with a veteran leader. In my opinon, his style of play would mesh very well with that of Shea Weber.

While it is very likely that management is comfortable to at least start the season with Beaulieu and Weber on the top pairing, they are likely looking at a more sure-bet if the right offer comes along. But will that offer provide a proven top pairing left handed defender? Not likely unless Bergevin is willing to part ways with top prospects. Will trading Beaulieu provide a proven second line left winger to complete the top six? Perhaps, but yet again, Beaulieu alone is unlikely to garner that return.

Now let us actually look at Marc Bergevin’s comments (translated from French) “My work consists of improving the team. Nathan Beaulieu is not being shopped, but I have received offers and yes I am listening to what other teams have to offer. It’s my job to listen and analyze. Nathan is a good young defenseman. We don’t quite know what his exact role will be in the NHL. If I want to improve my team, I have to move players that have value. It’s exactly what I did in trading Subban to put my hands on a guy like Weber. You need to give to get in the NHL.”

His words are always carefully chosen, but they are telling. He is signaling that anyone is available, but not unless the return he asks for that will help the Montreal Canadiens improve.

Now many fans have little faith in the general manager and interpret his comments as shopping Nathan Beaulieu.  Is this a lack of faith borne from the loss of their favorite player or an honest lack of faith in Bergevin’s ability? Now, I do not want to single out David, he is an intelligent poster, but his comments are the perfect example of a lack of faith.

Yeah, well after his stickhandling about @PKSubban1 at #Habs end of season media conference, I don't have a lot of faith in MB.

— David Olinger (@David_W_Olinger) September 17, 2016

Will Marc Bergevin trade Nathan Beaulieu or won’t he? The answer to that question likely lies in how Beaulieu responds to his opportunity this season to step up and find the consistency he needs to take that final step in his progression. If he cannot take that step, he will be an asset used to improve the team.

Fans can only hope any moves that are made work out in the favour of the Canadiens’, and improve their ability to win playoff games.  But if Beaulieu does take that final step, it is one less area of concern for the team as a drafted player has progressed to fill an important role, and it can be expected he signs a long term extension.  The final say in this story of ‘will he or won’t he?’ might belong to Nathan Beaulieu.