Avalanche sign Francois Beauchemin to 3-year deal

The Colorado Avalanche have signed veteran defenseman Francois Beauchemin.

The three-year deal is worth $4.5 million per season, a league source confirmed.

The 35-year-old Quebec native had 23 points last season as a workhorse on a young Ducks defense. Anaheim GM Bob Murray was interested in bringing him back, but not necessarily at that contract length.

Beauchemin provides experience on the back end for the Avalanche. He has played in 97 playoff games, all with the Ducks. He was also an important player on the Ducks' 2007 Stanley Cup-winning team, averaging more than 30 minutes per game during Anaheim's playoff run that season.

"Francois brings toughness, leadership and a veteran presence to our blue line," said Avalanche Executive Vice President/General Manager Joe Sakic. "We are excited to have him as part of our defense for the next three seasons."

He has 60 goals, 159 assists and is plus-23 in 673 games for the Canadiens, Blue Jackets, Maple Leafs and Ducks during his 11-season career.

In other Avalanche free agency news, the team also signed wingerBlake Comeauto a three-year deal worth an average of $2.4 million per year, a source told ESPN.com's Katie Strang.