New York Islanders: Anthony Beauvillier Proved He Belongs

With Anthony Beauvillier set to play his 9th game for the New York Islanders tonight, he has already proved that he belongs on this roster.

Initially I was surprised when Anthony Beauvillier made the team out of camp with the New York Islanders. It wasn’t that he didn’t have a good camp, it was quite the opposite actually. It was just that Mathew Barzal seemed to be the only prospect to have a chance to make the team when camp opened.

Beauvillier has shined so far for this Islanders team and as he is set to play his 9th NHL game, the Islanders most likely will keep him on the roster after tonight.

For those who don’t know you have a nine game test period for junior players. What that means is if you send the player back to juniors before his tenth game he doesn’t lose a year on his contract and when he reports to camp next year it will be the first year of his deal. But if he is kept for any more than nine games and then sent back he loses a year on his contract.

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Ultimately if the Islanders have any inkling of sending Beauvillier, or Barzal for that matter, back to their junior team they should do it during the trial period so they don’t lose a year off their contract.

It seems like they will keep Beauvillier and he absolutely has earned his spot. Through eight games he has 1 goal and 4 assists and has even spent time on the top line with John Tavares.

No matter where he has been plugged in in the lineup he has flourished. He’s been good both offensively and defensively as well which shows his versatility as a player.

Ultimately, I’m not sure if Beauvillier is a top liner at this point in his career but it’s good that he can be on the ice with anyone and be successful. If he’s here with the Islanders for the remainder of the season I see him falling on either of the two middle six lines.

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I’m not sure if anyone expected this kind of production out of Beauvillier, including the Islanders. Barzal will most likely be headed back to Seattle while Beau will continue to be a mainstay in the lineup every night.