What Should the Islanders Do With Anthony Beauvillier?
It's hard to believe, but Anthony Beauvillier has been an Islander for six years already. During his time with the New York Islanders, there's only one word that comes to mind when describing his play with the team: inconsistent.
At times, Anthony Beauvillier looks like he's going to take his game to the level of being a 50+ point player whether it's the back half of the 2017-2018 season or for most of 2021 but then at other times he goes on these stretches where the production is just invisible for instance a 14 game stretch this year where he was held without a point.
Now at age 24, with over 400 games of experience in the NHL we should in theory know what to expect from Beauvillier but the unfortunate reality of the situation is that we still have no idea which version of him we are going to get on a season to season basis. This year, with just 12 goals and 33 points he's left a lot to be desired.
While the Islanders don't have a ton of young talent, I think it would be in their best interest to trade Anthony Beauvillier.
I'm not saying dump him to just dump him but use him as a piece to either acquire a more sure thing in the top-six or a lefty on the blue line. Beau has two years remaining on his deal at $4.15 million after this year before becoming a UFA.
For teams asking for NHL talent in return for a trade, Anthony Beauvillier is one of the more tradable guys on the roster. As easy as it is to say "just trade Josh Bailey" it's not as simple as that due to age and contract.
Back in March, Lou Lamoriello discussed the idea of making hockey trades. The only names I could see in the mix here for a hockey trade is Scott Mayfield, Semyon Varlamov, and Anthony Beauvillier and of the three I think the one the Islanders would prefer to move is Beau.
Again, this isn't an article calling to just trade him to trade him but in an offseason that desperately needs a retool the Islanders should seriously consider it if they can upgrade the top-six or the top-four on defense by moving Anthony Beauvillier.