Francois Beauchemin News

With eight healthy defensemen on the Ducks' roster, head coach Bruce Boudreau will rest one of their regular D-men each game down the stretch as the Ducks prepare for a run at the Stanley Cup. Sami Vatanen is expected to slide into the lineup for Beauchemin.

Beauchemin has missed the lat 10 games with an upper-body injury that he suffered on November 20. Beauchemin was a fantastic plus-15 with six assists in the first 24 games, so expect him to pick up where he left off on Sunday.

Despite his presence for the morning skate, Beauchemin is not expected to be back in the lineup until next week. Unless he drastically improved in the last few days, Beauchemin will not play against the Wild tonight. However this is great news for the Ducks as he inches closer to a return.

Beauchemin will miss his seventh consecutive game tonight after being injured on November 20 vs. New Jersey. From the sounds of what Bourdreau is saying, Beauchemin remains week-to-week at this point.

Beauchemin has missed the last six games with an upper-body injury. He was having a great go in the first 24 games, posting a six assists and a plus-15 rating (t-5th in NHL).

Beauchemin has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury. It does not sound like he will be in the lineup tomorrow, but Beauchemin wants to travel with the team on their two-game road trip starting Friday in Chicago. Monitor his status throughout the week.

Beauchemin left Wednesday's game and did not return. This is a tough break for the Ducks blueline, who lose a 20-plus minute eater and plus-15. He is not expected to miss and extended period of time. Sami Vatanen has been recalled from Norfolk (AHL).

Beauchemin had one of the best years of his career in 2013. He scored six goals and added 18 assists (led all Ducks defensemen) in 48 games. At 33-years-old it might be hard for him to bounce back after ACL surgery, but playing over 20 minutes in his first preseason game is a good sign.

Beauchemin played the first round vs. the Red Wings with a torn ACL.

Beauchemin should be able to return before next season starts. He scored eight goals and 22 points in 82 games with the Ducks.

In signing Beauchemin, the Ducks ink a player who was more of the solution than the problem. It also makes the Joffrey Lupul trade look a bit better. He has six goals and 18 points through 45 games this season.

Just a maintenance day as Beauchemin will stay in the lineup. The minute eater has four goals and 10 points through 29 games.

Feel free to start both skaters with confidence as they kicked the flu bug.

The Ducks don't play until Wednesday so they can afford to rest some of their veterans. Check back tomorrow to find out if he gets back into practice.