Nathan Beaulieu knew his time was coming to an end in Montreal.
A healthy scratch during the Canadiens postseason run, he called the move the "cherry on top."
“I wasn’t expecting to be put in that situation and after I knew a move like this was going to be made and be the best for me," he said.
He added, during his 10 minute conference call with reporters on Sunday, that he doesn't hold a grudge against his former team.
"It’s just motivation," he said.
Now, the 24-year-old left handed defenseman is looking forward to the next chapter with the Sabres.
"Buffalo has such a young, bright future and talking with management yesterday, I feel like I’m going to fit it with that process right away," Beaulieu said.
Beaulieu will provide an upgrade to the Sabres defensive unit. After scoring 28 points (4 goals, 24 assists) in 74 games a season ago, he's earned a reputation as a d-man who can move the puck.
And, now that he's playing for one of the best offensive-defensive in NHL history in new head coach Phil Housley, Beaulieu is ready to step in and contribute.
"I’m excited because the style of play he wants is going to play right into my game," he added. "It’s a huge opportunity here to grow my game with a guy that played the game similarly to how I want to play the game.”
