New York Islanders Top 25 Under 25: Anthony Beauvillier #5

The New York Islanders have some tough choices coming out of training camp. Namely, who’s going to round out the forward group. At number five is a player pushing for one of those spots.

Anthony Beauvillier was drafted by the New York Islanders 28th overall in the 2015 NHL entry draft alongside Mathew Barzal. Two first round picks in a single year! and all the Islanders had to give up was a second and third round pick in the same draft!

And all the Islanders had to give up for that second first-round pick was a second and third round pick in the same draft!

It was a trade that GM Garth Snow made on the draft floor. Coming in with no first round picks to leave with two, we’ll cover that other first-round pick later on.

So what does Beauvillier bring? Well like our buddy Pierre McQuire alludes to in that video: “versatility”

Top Six Talent

Beauvillier can play anywhere on the New York Islanders offensive line, except for that top center position. Which is fine, because the Islanders already have one of those for the next eight years or more in John Tavares.

Beauvillier typically plays on the left-wing but is just as comfortable playing on the right flank. He can play at center, but his talents lay on the wing.

He can play shutdown hockey, but is more adept to that high-octane offense. He’s fast, skilled, and can score. In his last two seasons in the QMJHL, Beauvillier has put up a total of 173 points in 114 games played.

He isn’t big, standing just 5’10” and weighing 173lbs, but his game isn’t based on physicality. It’s about pure skill.

He’ll have a hard time making the NHL roster this year because of the steep competition for a spot. And with a sliding contract the Isles might just feel a year of AHL experience might just be worth it for both parties.

It’s possible he plays so well in camp that he forces management to put him on the team. He’s already looked strong in the pre-season. If that continues Garth Snow might just have to forget about sliding his contract an extra year.