When the Blackhawks acquired Anthony Beauvillier from the Canucks on Nov. 28, it barely hit the news cycle around the team. The deal was announced only a few short hours after a press conference detailing the departure of another veteran, and that’s all anyone could talk about.
In the days since, Beauvillier was able to join the Blackhawks for just one of the three games on their recent road trip because of visa issues; Connor Bedard said it was strange having him in the lineup for the one game in Winnipeg before playing without him in Minnesota while he sorted out the whole documentation situation.
When he got the visa situation squared away, Beauvillier flew to Chicago to begin a sprint of a first week with the Blackhawks.
“Iโm a little more settled today and yesterday was a little better than the first game that was just a travel day and then tried to get a long nap in,” he said on Friday. “The group has been great. Very welcoming, great group of guys here. Iโm getting more and more comfortable.”
It was initially interesting that the Blackhawks threw Beauvillier right onto the top line with Bedard and Philipp Kurashev. But, if you pay attention to the style of play the coaches are working to achieve, it makes sense. Beauvillier isn’t a big player, but he skates very well and is a dog on the puck. After all, Beauvillier was brought up in the Islanders organization and played the first 457 games of his NHL career there.
Luke Richardson was an assistant coach on Doug Weight’s staff with the New York Islanders during the 2017-18 season — a season that saw Beauvillier break out in the NHL and score 21 goals in 71 games. Though they were only in the room together for the one season, there is a level of familiarity with what Richardson is working to build in Chicago.
“I played under Luke a little when he was an assistant coach [w/ the Isles] so I kind of know what his voice is like and what he likes,” Beauvillier said. “I think we have some work to do on a couple things. So far I think guys are working hard every night and I feel like the effort is always going to be there for us. We just need to clean up a couple things. But from last night, I think we battled hard – winning 1-0 in this league isnโt easy.”
Beauvillier was complimentary of both Bedard and Kurashev. He joked that he has to remind himself sometimes that Bedard still 18 and could be doing all of these things in junior still. As the chemistry continues to develop as they play their third game together on Saturday, Beauvillier believes their line can continue elevating their game.
“Iโve always liked [Kurashev’s] game: good shot, skilled, smart out there,” he said. “He skates really well. Itโs been fun playing with these two. I think weโve got another gear and another level to our play and weโre just starting to building that a little more and if we can stay connected, we can be a lot better than we have been.”
If the Blackhawks can continue to get really good contributions from the third line of Nick Foligno — Jason Dickinson — Joey Anderson and Beauvillier can continue the results we’ve seen from Bedard and Kurashev as the season progresses, the entire Blackhawks offense will benefit. If he can get more comfortable on the power play as well, that unit could continue building momentum on their three goals in the past five games.
I like the addition of Beauvillier and think he’s the kind of player Richardson wants to build with. And having him skate with Bedard will make that line tougher to defend.