Forward Anthony Beauvillier is on the move for the second time this season, heading from the Blackhawks to the Predators, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reports that Nashville is sending Chicago a 2024 fifth-round pick in return.
The Blackhawks brought in Beauvillier in November, parting with a fifth-round pick of their own to acquire him from the Canucks. The 26-year-old is in the final season of a three-year, $12.45MM contract with a $4.15MM cap hit. There’s been no indication that Chicago is retaining part of Beauvillier’s salary.
Beauvillier’s had a short but difficult tenure in Chicago, missing most of the last two months with a wrist injury. He potted six points in 23 games while averaging 14:22 per game, a slight uptick from the 13:39 per game he saw through the first 22 games of the season with Vancouver.
The one-time 20-goal scorer is now on his fourth team in the past two seasons after heading from the Islanders to the Canucks at last year’s deadline in the Bo Horvat trade. He looked decent in a middle-six role with Vancouver after the trade, posting 20 points in 33 games, but struggled to carry over his momentum and had only two goals and eight points in 22 games to begin this season.
In Nashville, Beauvillier reunites with former Isles head coach Barry Trotz, now the Preds’ GM. He’s a more experienced option for Nashville to insert in their middle six down the stretch and carries much more offensive upside than current third-line left wing Mark Jankowski, whom he could replace in the lineup alongside Luke Evangelista and the newly-extended Thomas Novak for a more formidable depth scoring line.
Chicago’s four months of Beauvillier’s services end up being a wash, parting with the acquisition cost in today’s trade. The Predators had a massive $37.2MM figure in deadline cap space, so taking on the entirety of Beauvillier’s cap hit is no issue, considering he’ll hit the UFA market this summer if not re-signed by Nashville.
Ok, alright. Seems like a good trade for both teams. I like Beauvillier. As a kraken fan I’m hoping the preds fizzle out here shortly…don’t think this is gonna help with that.
Davidson got him for a ’24 5th and was able to convert him into a 4th. Not bad, not bad.
Yeah but the Hawks have enough picks. What they really need is somebody to put the puck in the net. Beauvillier wasn’t that guy so moving on from him doesn’t bother me. It’s time to give some guys from Rockford a shot anyway.
Not exactly up there with the Monahan haul the Canadians received (1st rounder coming in, first rounder going out), but I love these types of moves. Savvy GMing for sure.
Exactly. Time to call up Colton Dach!! In all seriousness though, it will probably be Cole Guttman, which is fine.
What Davidson needs to do is start acquiring prospects.
Article says Hawks got a 5th today. So they traded down 12-20 spots for 23 games
Going to a much better situation
Well, at least it’s not David Poile trading for another Dman, lol!
Trotz knows AB from their Isles days, so there’s a connection.
I thought Beauvillier was a really good middle six player back when he was with the Islanders. It’s hard to believe he’s fallen off so much to only be worth a 4th round pick
Trotzy coached this guy on the Islanders and must’ve liked what he provided there. I’m guessing this means Trenin could be available.
Very different types of players. Hopefully this is Trotz adding without subtracting.
I never said they were similar. The Preds have been trying to extend Trenin and this could mean they are at an impasse and they are just looking for a NHL ready player to slot somewhere into the lineup.
Don’t deflate my optimism that Trotz isn’t Poile 2.0! :p
Called it!
4th or 5th round pick in return? Seravalli says 5th.
Other reports do indeed say 5th. That’s been updated. Seravalli initially had a 4th.
Scott Powers and Ben Pope were saying that too, so I was wondering as well.
Watch the Hawks claim RyJo!
I wouldn’t complain. Another veteran presence couldn’t hurt.
4th-5th doesn’t really matter. That guy will never see the ice for the Hawks unless Davidson acquires a crystal ball. The Hawks have like 8 1st’s, 10 2nd’s and 6 3rds in the next 3 years. Plus what they have already. It’s just accounting at this point.
But it could be packaged with other lower picks to acquire a higher pick to get a player they covet on draft day.
Agreed ..
A 3rd rounder has a 12% chance of making the team, 4th-5th are single digits …
As Billy Preston sings .. “Nothin’ from nothin’ leaves nothin'”
link to chl.ca.