Francois Beauchemin Signs in Toronto

TSN is reporting that Francois Beauchemin has signed a 3-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs worth an average of $3.8 million per season.

“Francois will be a welcome addition to our blueline,” Leafs President and general manager Brian Burke said in a statement.  “He’s a rock solid, steady defender that will add character to our team.”

This is a very solid pick-up by the Maple Leafs. Beauchemin is a proven NHL defender who will make the Leafs much tougher to play against. The price tag is a little steep for a guy coming off an MCL injury, but if he is healthy, the Leafs will have a Top 4 guy in the prime of his career. Burke continues to rebuild the team into a bigger, tougher and more North American entity and the Beauchemin signing will do wonders with the back end.