Anthony Beauvillier, Forward/Nashville Predators
Anthony Beauvillier hasn’t produced well this season, and few have been as much of a journeyman. Since the 2022-23 season began, Beauvillier has played for four different franchises, but look back at his numbers between 2016-17 and even last season, and he has more than shown he could be a force on the checking line.
Last year, he had 40 points and 18 goals with 16:16 of average total ice time, 78 hits, and 32 takeaways. The 2021-22 season was a down year for Beauvillier but as last year’s numbers have shown, in the right situation, he can produce. That wasn’t always the case with the New York Islanders, but when he went to Vancouver, Beauvillier had 20 points and nine goals in 33 games for the Canucks.
After landing in Chicago this season, few were playing well on the Blackhawks outside Connor Bedard, so we don’t need to pay too much attention to Beauvillier’s six points and two goals in 23 contests. Should Armstrong want to add a forward who can be physical to the lower lines, Beauvillier is a good bet. But if he was looking for more of that “prize” free agent, the next player on the list is who he must go after.