Along with Connor Bedard, Beauvillier was a first-round draft pick, taken 28th overall by the Islanders in 2015. The 26-year-old suffered a broken left wrist on Jan. 2 at Nashville.
The injury-depleted and offense-starved Chicago Blackhawks should get another former first-round draft pick, Anthony Beauvillier, back into their lineup in the next few days.
Beauvillier, selected 28th overall by the New York Islanders in 2015, suffered a broken left wrist at Nashville on Jan. 2 on an awkward hit by Filip Forsberg. He could be ready to play when the Blackhawks visit Carolina on Monday or host Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Connor Bedard, the No. 1 draft pick in 2023, returned on Thursday in a 4-1 loss to Pittsburgh after missing 14-plus games with a broken jaw.
The Blackhawks entered Saturday's game against Ottawa on an eight-game losing streak (0-7-1) and were last in the NHL with 31 points and 112 goals. They’ve scored just 17 times in their last 14 games and been shut out four times during the slump.
Knew He Was Hurt
The 26-year-old Beauvillier left the ice immediately after the impact in Nashville and realized he'd sustained a significant injury.
"I knew that it didn't feel nice, so I knew it was going to take a little bit," Beauvillier said.
Both Beauvillier and Bedard had been skating in practice wearing green no-contact jerseys until late this week.
"It was good to have Bedsie with me I guess," Beauvillier said. "We were kind of both working together on the ice and working out at the same time. It's been a long month for sure." See following video.
The Blackhawks acquired Beauvillier from Vancouver on Nov. 28, 2023, the same day Chicago released veteran Corey Perry for violating team policies.
Beauvilllier didn't produce with the Canucks after they got him in a trade from the Islanders in January 2023 that sent Bo Horvat to New York.
The 5-foot-11 forward had just two goals and six assists in 22 games with high-powered Vancouver to start the 2023-24. In 15 games with Chicago, he has two goals and four assists.
Beauvillier's three-year, $12.45 million contract runs out this season.