New York Islander fans have received more news over the last 24 hours than they have this whole entire offseason. What started with reports about a Casey Cizikas contract on Tuesday has now led to the reports of a new contract for Anthony Beauvillier, per Arthur Staple of The Athletic.
Another #Isles contract that was agreed to but still on the "to be filed" list: Anthony Beauvillier has a three-year deal, believed to be worth around $4.1-million per, source said. @LPGeek posted on it a few days ago.
Bunch of other deals are done but not yet filed, of course.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNHL) September 1, 2021
Beauvillier, a restricted free agent, was eligible to file for arbitration yet chose not to. With this new deal, the fifth-year NHLer gets a raise of around $2.1 M annually. The Islanders get the term as the third year of this deal keeps Beauvillier off-limits in what would have been his first offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
Since breaking into the NHL with the Islanders back in 2016, the Quebec-native has produced offensively. In 47 games played this past season, Beauvillier scored 15 goals with 13 assists. In a full 82-game season, the young winger was on pace to potentially set a new career-high in goals and points.
Beauvillier had a magical moment in the Islanders’ latest postseason run. He scored the overtime winner on Nassau Coliseum ice to force a Game 7 in the semi-final matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The last postseason game that will ever be played on the ice of the historic arena as the team moves to UBS Arena this upcoming season.
CRAZINESS AT THE COLI! 🔥
Anthony Beauvillier OT winner! #ItsOn pic.twitter.com/nIyh9r7lqX
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 24, 2021
Despite the Islanders’ season coming to an end in that win or go home Game 7, Beauvillier had a strong postseason performance. He recorded 13 points in 19 games, which ranked second on the Islanders, a point behind Mat Barzal.
Over the next three years, the Islanders will be looking for a more consistent Beauvillier. Despite the regular season and postseason success, streakiness has played its role in his inability to reach his full potential. Beauvillier has raw speed that allows him to create in the offensive zone, and when goals are hard to come by, his other skillsets need to be on display more often.
Beauvillier’s deal is another win for Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello as he locks up one of his better offensive players at a respectable number. Now it is up to Beauvillier to showcase over the next three seasons that he can be a top player for head coach Barry Trotz.
The next three seasons are critical as the Islanders window for a Stanley Cup is wide open and if Beauvillier can become a complete player, the Islanders, who are already a difficult opponent, become that much harder to play against.
