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Avalanche sign veteran d-man Beauchemin for three years

Anaheim Ducks v Dallas Stars

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 31: Francois Beauchemin #23 of the Anaheim Ducks handles the puck against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center on October 31, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHLI via Getty Images

The Colorado Avalanche have signed veteran defenseman François Beauchemin to a three-year deal with a $4.5 million cap hit, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Beauchemin, 35, did not re-sign with Anaheim; the Ducks essentially filled his spot by trading for Kevin Bieksa.

In Colorado, the hope will be that Beauchemin can provide a steadying presence on a team that struggled defensively last season.

At 35 years old, Beauchemin is no youngster. However, he still managed to average 22:45 of ice time in 2014-15.

“He’s the voice,” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said of Beauchemin during the playoffs. “Everybody else is so young. [He] is the voice back there. You can hear him talking all the time.”