Blackhawks lock up 2018 first-round pick Nicolas Beaudin

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The Blackhawks announced Friday that they have agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract with defenseman Nicolas Beaudin that runs through the 2020-21 season. He will remain with the Drummondville Voltigeurs is the Quebec Major Hockey League.

The Blackhawks have now locked up both of their first-round picks from 2018 in Adam Boqvist (No. 8 overall) and Beaudin (No. 27 overall).

Beaudin, 19, has one goal and eight assists in nine games this season. He compiled a team-leading 69 points (12 goals, 57 assists) in 68 regular-season games in 2017-18 and was named to the QMJHL second All-Star team.

Given how successful 2017 first-round pick Henri Jokiharju has looked a year removed from his draft, it’s not unreasonable to think Beaudin could compete for a full-time roster spot on the Blackhawks next season. But they can afford to be more patient with him, given the possibility of Boqvist making that jump to the NHL next season and avoiding the complication of breaking in their top young defensemen prospects all at once.

It might be more likely Beaudin starts next season with the Rockford IceHogs in the American Hockey League and start his professional development there.

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