Avalanche agree to 3-year deals with Francois Beauchemin, Blake Comeau

DENVER - The Colorado Avalanche fortified their blue line by signing defenceman Francois Beauchemin to a three-year deal.

The 35-year-old Beauchemin averaged a team-best 22 minutes, 44 seconds of ice time per game for Anaheim last season. He also ranked second among Ducks defencemen with a career-high 11 goals.

Colorado general manager Joe Sakic said the signing of Beauchemin on Wednesday brings "toughness, leadership and a veteran presence to our blue line." The team is trying to beef up its defensive corps this off-season.

Beauchemin also brings post-season experience, having played in all 16 playoff games for the Ducks in 2014-15 and averaging 25:24 of ice time.

The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Beauchemin was a third-round pick by Montreal in 1998. He's played in 673 NHL games with Montreal, Columbus, Anaheim and Toronto.