Canucks: Anthony Beauvillier traded to the Blackhawks

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The Vancouver Canucks have traded winger Anthony Beauvillier to the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2024 fifth-round draft decide.

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Beauvillier, 26, was set to be an unrestricted free agent on the finish of the NHL season and had a US$4.15 million cap hit.

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The burning query isn’t why the commerce was made. It’s the timing. And that speaks volumes.

The pre-season hope was that Beauvillier could be productive sufficient to entice plenty of suitors on the March commerce deadline and command a extra good-looking return. Nonetheless, his sluggish begin and simply two targets by means of 22 video games — regardless of plenty of Grade A possibilities and too many posts — noticed his inventory plummet.

Beauvillier grew to become a fourth-liner and even the odd shot within the top-six combine to hopefully ignite his streaky scoring contact didn’t work. And even when moved down the lineup, he at all times maintained hope that targets would come.

“I really feel like our backside six has completed a superb job creating vitality,” he stated. “Getting pucks into the offensive zone and generally it’s just a bit puck luck. I like some components of my recreation and I’ve simply bought to maintain engaged on it. The scoring possibilities have been there.”

So, right here we’re. Now what?

The transfer creates cap area. Is that going to determine into an Ethan Bear pitch? It additionally ensures that there can be roster room when extremely revered centre Pius Suter returns from a lower-body damage.

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The Canucks acquired Beauvillier in January 2023 as a part of the Bo Horvat commerce with the New York Islanders.

Beauvillier had 20 factors (9G, 11A) in 33 video games final season, and has registered two targets and 6 assists in 22 video games this season.

He knew following the Jan. 30 blockbuster commerce that despatched captain Horvat and his 31 targets to the Islanders, that each one eyes in a hockey-mad market could be mounted upon him. He responded with 4 targets and 6 factors in his first seven outings and two game-winners. He additionally had two targets in a three-games span that spoke to his streaky scoring nature. He ran cold and hot.

Beauvillier’s exit assembly directives final spring weren’t a shock. He was not anticipated to be a game-changer, however be recreation sufficient to contribute, whether or not he will get again with the massive line or performs down the lineup.

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Rick Tocchet’s season-ending want record wasn’t lengthy. It was a brief retort from the Canucks bench boss.

“It was simply me conserving it easy,” stated Beauvillier, who averaged 16:59 of ice time lsat season. “Play with tenacity and pace. There’s strain inside myself to convey my recreation to a different degree and never be a man you’ll be able to transfer simply up and down the lineup. That’s the place I wish to convey my recreation.”

It by no means occurred.

[email protected]

— with a file from Mike Raptis

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