The Washington Capitals took over Anthony Beauvillier earlier in the deadline to take over from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Washington’s latest striker will bring his regular season experience to the Capitals roster with 613 games. The 5-foot-11 striker went on a battle test in the playoffs, playing 55 playoff games under the New York Islanders and the Nashville Predators’ skates.
Long Island extended stay
Beauvillier was elected by New York Islanders as the 28th pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. After two junior seasons, the 19-year-old winger joined the Islanders and scored 24 points in 66 games in his rookie season. As the Islanders grew into playoff contenders between 2017 and 2019, Beauvillier became crucial to the roster.
New York made its first playoff appearance in three seasons in 2018-19. The Islanders swept the Penguins in the first round before being swept by the Carolina Hurricanes in the next series. Beauvillier played all eight games for New York with goals and assists.
The following season, Beauvillier skated in 22 playoff games, and New York shone in the 2019-20 Eastern Conference Finals. Due to the No. 19 pandemic, the playoffs include the Stanley Cup qualifier series and the traditional NHL playoffs. During the Islanders’ playoff run, Beauvillier added nine goals and five assists to score 14 points. New York lost to the Tampa Bay Chargers’ tough six-game series, including the last two games in overtime.
Related: Revisiting Islanders and Adding Humans Bo Horvat Trade
New York was blocked by Tampa Bay again in 2020-21, except for this, it was seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Beauvillier scored five times in 19 games in three playoff games, adding eight assists. The Islanders missed the playoffs the following season, while the forwards were included in a massive trade package with Vancouver before reappearing in the playoffs. On January 30, 2023, Beauvillier’s agreement with the Vancouver Canucks included sending the center’s Bo Horvat back to the islanders. Overall, the first-round draft pick scored 266 points in 457 regular season games and 29 points in 49 playoff games in New York.
Beauvillier bounced around the NHL last season
The 2023-24 NHL season is difficult for Beauvillier as he trades twice in four months. After finishing the last 33 games with Vancouver in 2023-24, the forwards played 22 games of the season for the Canucks. A November deal sent him to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round draft pick, where he played briefly with new teammate Taylor Raddysh.
Beauvillier skated in 23 games in Chicago until he moved to playoff contender Nashville Predators at the 2024 NHL trade deadline to win a fifth-round draft pick in 2024. He ended the regular season with Nashville in the regular season, scoring three points in 15 games. Beauvillier is the typical 15-20 goal and 40-point scorer in the NHL, scoring five goals and 17 points in 60 games last season. In the playoffs, he won six games in goals and assists for the Predators.
Beauvillier signed a one-year contract with Pittsburgh last offseason
In July 2024, Beauvillier signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with Penguin. The stability of a typical NHL hockey schedule was on the forward rebound this season with 17 goals and 26 points in 63 games in Pittsburgh. Naturally, the Canadian Center is a deal for the playoff lineup from non-competitive clubs to the 2025 NHL trade deadline. Washington believes he is a necessary upgrade to the roster, providing the Penguins with a second round pick in the 2025 draft.
Beauvillier was not sober as trade between Washington and Pittsburgh was completed. “I’m still sleeping, so it’s a crazy morning,” he said. “But I’ve never been sucked again when I hear that I’m coming to Washington. It’s definitely a honor and privilege.” The NHL veteran is hoping to bring “speed and vitality to the Capitals roster in the playoffs, hoping to achieve several goals.”
“I’m so happy to be here. I’m just trying to focus on my abilities and trying to bring speed, energy and hope to achieve several goals.”
After Friday, Anthony Beauvillier #nhltradedeadline get.#allcaps | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/einmflvfl2
— Capital of Washington (@capitals) March 8, 2025
Beauvillier is expected to play his first game tomorrow in the Washington uniform at Capital One Arena as the capital hosted Kraken at 3:30 p.m. Seattle won this afternoon in Philadelphia, and Washington took a break in the afternoon after defeating the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. The capital has 19 games left in the regular season in 2024-25.
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