Things didn't go well for Beauvillier in Vancouver, but the former New York Islanders first-round pick gets a new chance on depleted Chicago. See story with videos.
Following his debut as Blackhawk on Saturday, 2015 first-round draft pick Anthony Beauvillier said he liked what he saw from 2023 No. 1 overall selection Connor Bedard.
"I think he's capable of everything and anything," Beauvillier said after skating on a line with the NHL's leading rookie scorer in a 3-1 loss at Winnipeg. "Just with the little sample I've seen the last two days, I was definitely impressed with what he does on the ice, and definitely it's a privilege to play with him." See video.
Chicago acquired the 26-year-old Beauvillier from Vancouver on Tuesday and he was able to join the team for practice in Winnipeg on Friday. General manager Kyle Davidson swung the deal within hours of placing 38-year-old Corey Perry on unconditional waivers.
Chicago gave up only a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft for Beauvillier, who had two goals and eight points in 22 games with the Canucks. Vancouver was looking for some salary cap flexibility, and Beauvillier's role had diminished on a much-improved team.
Beauvillier is in the final season of a three-year contract that pays $4.15 million annually. Perry's one-year deal with the Blackhawks was set to pay $4 million.
Fresh Start in Chicago
The New York Islanders, Beauvillier's original club, traded him to Vancouver on Jan. 30, 2023 with prospect Aatu Räty and a 2023 first-round draft pick for Bo Horvat.
He arrived with the Canucks in a top-six forward slot, skating with Elias Pettersson and and Andrei Kuzmenko and getting power-play time. Beauvillier delivered 13 points in his first 15 games in Vancouver.
But over the final 18 games of 2022-23, he had just seven points as the Canucks limped home.
Beauvillier is from Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, about 50 miles downriver on the St. Lawrence (northeast) of Montréal. His new U.S. work/residence visa was still being finalized, and the 5-foot-11, 180-pound winger wasn't expected to skate with the Blackhawks in Minnesota against the Wild on Sunday.
The team hopes he'll be on the ice the United Center on Tuesday when the Blackhawks host Nashville to start a four-home homestand.
First-Rounder in 2015, Nice Start with Isles
Beauvillier was selected by the Islanders in the first round (28th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft. Like Bedard — but with little hoopla and at age 19 – the forward made the jump directly from junior hockey to the NHL with New York in 2016-17. He had skated three seasons with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMHJL, topping out with a pair of 40-goal campaigns.
In 2017-18 and at age 20, Beauvillier netted 21 goals and 15 points in 71 games with the Isles. Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was an assistant with New York that year.
"I know he's definitely a little spitfire out there," Richardson said. "He can skate and and he can shoot and he brings energy.
"He can play up the lineup. He can play in a working role. Hopefully bring some consistently and some extra scoring, which we can use right now." See more in the video.