Anthony Beauvillier's rise: From devoted fan to Penguins forward
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Penguins
Anthony Beauvillier, the latest addition to the Pittsburgh Penguins' forward line, has expressed his excitement about joining the team and his determination to make a significant impact.
Coming from the same hometown as Marc-Andre Fleury, the future Hall of Famer, Beauvillier's excitement about the move is palpable. The 27-year-old forward, who grew up in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, recalls being a Penguins fan due to his admiration for Fleury.
Beauvillier's NHL journey began when the Islanders selected him in the first round of the 2015 Draft, 12 years after Fleury was drafted first overall by Pittsburgh. He believes his previous experience within the same division will help ease his transition to the Penguins this season.
The Penguins have signed forward Anthony Beauvillier to a one-year contract.
Beauvillier is signed through the 2024.25 season and carries an average annual value of $1.25 million.
Details: https://pens.pe/3xIJhLv
Beauvillier is signed through the 2024.25 season and carries an average annual value of $1.25 million.
Details: https://pens.pe/3xIJhLv
«I think just being more familiar with the rinks a little bit and the division, the travel, is going to help a lot,» said Beauvillier.
«Obviously being from the East Coast myself, just closer to home and all that I feel like the transition is going to be a little easier.»
«Obviously being from the East Coast myself, just closer to home and all that I feel like the transition is going to be a little easier.»
His move to Pittsburgh comes after a challenging season. Beauvillier started the 2022-23 season with Vancouver, played 22 games, and was then traded to the Blackhawks. He was subsequently dealt to Nashville at the trade deadline after 23 games with Chicago.
«It was obviously not an easy season for me, especially mentally,» Beauvillier said with a wry grin. «It was tough, just to get used to different systems, get used to different dressing rooms and different guys. Getting to know the cities and getting comfortable everywhere wasn't easy.
«But I feel like I learned a lot last season, just to obviously get comfortable with different groups. Obviously looking for more stability now, and I feel like joining the Penguins, it's going to be good for me.»
«But I feel like I learned a lot last season, just to obviously get comfortable with different groups. Obviously looking for more stability now, and I feel like joining the Penguins, it's going to be good for me.»
Penguins President of Hockey Operations and GM Kyle Dubas is optimistic about Beauvillier's potential. Dubas noted that while the past season was tough for Beauvillier, his prior effectiveness with the Islanders shows promise.
«I don't think this last stretch has gone particularly well for him by any measure. But when you watch the film and you start to dig into it, that player that was so effective for the Islanders going back to his draft year and just continuing to get better and better is still there,» Dubas said on the first day of free agency.
«We just have to provide the environment for him to show that again. So, I think he was willing to really bet on himself with a very low-money deal for one year in exchange for the opportunity to come in here and try to earn a spot in the lineup.»
«We just have to provide the environment for him to show that again. So, I think he was willing to really bet on himself with a very low-money deal for one year in exchange for the opportunity to come in here and try to earn a spot in the lineup.»
Beauvillier sees Pittsburgh as a good fit for his style of play. Known for his speed and instincts, he has scored double-digit goals for five consecutive seasons, including a career-high 21 goals in 2017-18. Dubas was impressed by Beauvillier's questions about penalty killing and defensive zone starts, noting a shift in his mindset.
«It was more of a how can he penalty kill, defensive zone starts. His mindset, you can see, is changing,» Dubas said. «So, we hope he'll be able to provide some speed, tenacity, forecheck as he did with the Islanders, chip in some secondary offense, give [Mike Sullivan] and the coaching staff options to move around the lineup.
«We can get him up and rolling here, and if it works out, he's young enough, we hope that in the perfect world, he develops into someone that can be a long-term fit for us here. Very high-quality person, loved by teammates in this organization. So, we're excited to get him in."
«We can get him up and rolling here, and if it works out, he's young enough, we hope that in the perfect world, he develops into someone that can be a long-term fit for us here. Very high-quality person, loved by teammates in this organization. So, we're excited to get him in."
The Penguins are eager to see how Beauvillier's skills will integrate into their system and are hopeful that he will develop into a long-term asset.
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
From Fan to Forward: Beauvillier Joins Penguins
From Fan to Forward: Beauvillier Joins Penguins
| POLL | ||
3 AOUT | 74 ANSWERS Anthony Beauvillier's rise: From devoted fan to Penguins forward Will Anthony Beauvillier's move to the Pittsburgh Penguins help him rediscover his form and become a valuable asset to the team? | ||
| Yes | 43 | 58.1 % |
| No | 31 | 41.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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