Several players accepted professional tryout contracts in the National Hockey League (NHL) on Friday. This is the case of former Montreal Canadiens defender Nathan Beaulieu, who was invited to training camp with the Anaheim Ducks.
The 29-year-old Ontarian has seen his career plagued by recurring injuries since leaving the CH in 2017. Beaulieu has played more than 40 NHL games just once in the past five seasons.
In 2021-2022, the first round choice (17th overall) of the Canadiens in 2011 amassed four assists in 24 games with the Winnipeg Jets. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in March, but did not play for the team.
Zach Aston-Reese will try to add some toughness to the Toronto Maple Leafs game. Looking to see action in his sixth season on the Bettman Tour, he finished 15th last season with 231 hits while recording only 28 penalty minutes. He had five goals and 15 points in 69 games with the Penguins and Ducks.
Calvin de Haan back with the Hurricanes
Calvin de Haan will also be at the camp of the Carolina Hurricanes. The 31-year-old Ontario defender is trying to return to the club, who took advantage of his complete autonomy in 2018 to join. He had been traded less than a year later.
The New York Islanders’ first-round pick (12th overall) in 2009 struggled in 2021-22, scoring four goals and eight points in 69 games with the Chicago Blackhawks while posting a -21 differential.
Defenseman Danny DeKeyser will try his luck with the Vancouver Canucks. At 32, he saw a chapter of his career come to an end this summer, having played his 547 career games with the Detroit Red Wings.
Last season, he had 11 assists in 59 games.
