Anaheim Ducks defencemen Francois Beauchemin was in practice with his team this week, the first time after coming off major knee surgery.
It couldn't come at a better time.
Barely holding on to the 7th spot in the Western Conference, the Ducks have had a 9-2-1 run to help their chances of making the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
Not that their play this season really suggested they might.
Having at one point been as low as 13th in the West, the Ducks looked like shoppers to many fans at the NHL's trade deadline. Gone are former standouts Chris Kunitz (Pit), Sammy Pahlsson (chicago), Travis Moen & Kent Huskins (San Jose), Steve Montador (Boston). Brendan Morrison was claimed off waivers by Dallas.
Many fans in and around Orange County were calling for new GM Bob Murray's head.
Fast-forward a month or so, and every move made by the GM works.
Ryan Whitney's been rough on Defense, but brings an element to thepower pklay and joins the rush. Petteri Nokalainen and Eric Christensen have turned into role players and muckers, and solidified the Ducks second and third lines.
Wisniewski has been an outright stud, all heart and grit and tenacity.
And now, they get back the player that makes 'em tick in Beauchemin. No player exemplifies the team spirit of this Ducks team like Francois. His jaw wired shut, he pushed these Ducks through playoff rounds on pure will.
He brings spit in their eye tenacity and is coming back with something to prove to a Ducks team just finally figuring out it's identity.
Welcome Back, Beauchemin, you've been missed.
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