New York Islanders 2018-19 Season Left Wing Depth Chart

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GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 22: Anthony Beauvillier #72 of the New York Islanders awaits a face off against the Arizona Coyotes during the NHL game at Gila River Arena on January 22, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Islanders 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Anthony Beauvillier

2017-18 Stats: 21G, 15A, 36P
Cap Hit: $894,167 | 1 Year
A 36 point player doesn’t sound like he should be second on the New York Islanders LW depth chart. But in the second half of the 2017-18 season, we saw the quality that made Beauvillier a first-round selection in 2015. Coming off a trip to the AHL, Beauvillier put up 29 points. In half a season. It was a dramatic improvement over the first half of his season.

Beauvillier ended the 2017-18 season on an absolute tear. In his final six games he scored five goals, all scored in consecutive games. By season’s end, Beauvillier was on a 60 point pace over an 82 game season. He scored 81 percent of his points in the second half of the season after linking up with Barzal.

But regardless of the connection that Beauvillier has with Barzal, he’s still the second-best left wing on the Islanders behind Anders Lee. He should start the year playing on the second line next to new-to-the-NHL Jan Kovar.

And there lies the risk for Anthony Beauvillier in 2018-19. Going into the season he’s the number two LW on the team. Without question. But how is he going to be without Mathew Barzal anchoring his line down the middle?

When Brock Nelson and Anthony Beauvillier were paired together on the third line in 2017-18, the two couldn’t get any offense going. But with Barzal, Beauvillier exploded to life. How is that going to work with a slower and older Jan Kovar? We’ve seen Beauvillier at a 60 point pace, but we’ve also seen him at half of that.