How many messages will Islanders have to send to Anthony Beauvillier?

Against the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz sent a message to a number of players in the lineup with a big shake-up.

Cal Clutterbuck was put up on the top line with Barzal and Lee (a spot he's found himself in before but under a different coach). Ross Johnston was placed on the second line alongside Nelson and Bailey with Kyle Palmieri out due to the birth of his child. And Anthony Beauvillier was slotted on the fourth line with Cizikas and Martin.

For Anthony Beauvillier that's the second such message he's been sent this year. Earlier in the year, he was made a healthy scratch due to his poor play. Two messages in a year? That's not good. But this isn't the first year a message had to be sent to Beauvillier either.

New York Islanders: Messages being sent to Beauvillier again

Back in 2019, Beau was sent down to the AHL for a quick second. He only played three games with Bridgeport and was called up once Josh Bailey picked up an injury. Beauvillier responded by putting up 29 points in 40 games. A 60 point pace over a full NHL season. That's the response you want to see.

The production is better for Beauvillier since was scratched on December 11 this year. Since being a healthy scratch Beau has nine points (4G, 5A) in 16 games played. That's a pace of 46 points over a full season. That's better, but it's clear he isn't playing the way Barry Trotz wants him to.

Against the Vancouver Canucks, Beauvillier was the least utilized player with 12:23 of total ice time in the game. How many more messages will the Islanders have to send him? Hopefully, this is the last one. Even though he only played 12:23 he scored a primary assist on Cizikas's goal.

We know what Beauvillier's potential is. We've all seen him play at a near 60 point pace in the regular season. We've also seen him be a massive presence in the playoffs with 27 points in the last two runs for the Islanders. But without a consistent Beauvillier, the Islanders aren't going to make the postseason.

If the plan for the Islanders this year comes down to a retool, an upgrade on Anthony Beauvillier is going to have to be something Lou Lamoriello looks too. That's the message I'm receiving anyways.