Anthony Beauvillier is a former first-round pick back in 2015 by the New York Islanders. He then spent six and a half seasons in the Metropolitan Division with the Islanders. Being in the ultra-competitive Metropolitan Division, he had the opportunity to play the against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins four times a season. In 25 games against the Penguins, Beauvillier has 10 points (five goals, five assists). His ten points against the Penguins is eighth most against any team in the National Hockey League.
Anthony Beauvillier Inks Deal With The Pittsburgh Penguins
Beauvillier’s best season came in the 2022-23 season, where he had 40 points. His 40 points were across two different teams as he had 20 with the Islanders in 49 games and 20 points in 33 games with the Vancouver Canucks. However, this past season, was the worst of his career as he logged 17 points across three different teams.
In 22 games with the Canucks, he had eight points before joining the Chicago Blackhawks. With the Blackhawks, he had six points in 23 games where he also was a -10. After struggling mightily in Chicago, he was then traded to the Nashville Predators. During his time with the Predators, he only had three points in 15 games where he also was frequently healthy scratched. Moreover, with the Predators this past season, he played in six playoff games. In the playoffs, he had two points (1 goal, 1 assist). He was also a +0.
What Kind of Value Does He Bring
After the worst season of his career, Beauvillier signs a one-year $1,250,000 million dollar deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins. With the Beauvillier signing and a couple of other moves, the Penguins now have $3,524,229 million dollars in cap space. After combining for 17 points across 60 games for three different teams, Beauvillier now has a fresh start in Pittsburgh.
With the Penguins, he is most likely going to be on the third line at the left wing position. The Penguins revamped third line would most likely consist of him, Kevin Hayes, and Noel Acciari. Beauvillier is a solid skater who is also just 27 years old which helps as the Penguins were the oldest team in the league this past season.
In 550 career games, Beauvillier has 116 goals and 130 assists for a total of 246 points. However, he is not the best defensively as he is a -20 throughout his career. However, in the playoffs, Beauvillier has really stepped up as he has 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists) in 55 games. He is also a +5 in the playoffs.
Anthony Beauvillier Bounce Back Season?
Similarly to Matt Grzelyck who the Penguins also just signed, Beauvillier looks to bounce back and have a solid season on a one-year prove it deal. A bounce back season in 2024-25, will allow himself to earn a lengthier and more lucrative contract.
Defensively, he had one of the best seasons of his career as he 35 blocked shots which was the highest since the 2019-20 season and 53 hits which was the fifth highest in his eight year career. More impressively, Beauvillier had a solid stick in terms of both keeping/controlling the puck and getting takeaways. He had the best takeaway to giveaway ratio of his career as he had 31 takeaways to just 10 giveaways.
Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas has high praise that Beauvillier can get back to his former self and be a solid bottom-six forward.
“I don’t think this last stretch has gone particularly well for him by any measure,” Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas said Monday in Cranberry. “But, when you watch the film and you start to dig into it, that player that was so effective for the Islanders and going back to his draft year and just continuing to get better and better is still there. We just have to provide the environment for him to show that again.”
If Beauvillier can get back to at least 30 points next season while maintaining a positive +/-, he will earn himself a nice contract whether it is still with the Penguins or elsewhere.
Main photo credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
