The New York Islanders can’t allow rookie forward Anthony Beauvillier to leave to juniors.
Uh, oh.
Shawinigan Cataractes captain Anthony Beauvillier could be returning to the minor leagues, despite a successful stint at the game’s highest level.
According to a tweet from the team’s official twitter account, Beauvillier isn’t slotted on a line in practice. This is an ominous move, as his nine-game tryout has expired and the team has to make a decision about his future.
If this isn’t a temporary scratch, then it’s a disastrous decision. It’s tough to bash head coaches, especially because the general public doesn’t have behind-the-scenes access.
However, the Isles are a team starving for scoring, and Beauvillier has held his own through the first couple of weeks of the season. They’re certainly not going to gain any offense if he departs.
Rather, it’s going to be an unavoidable loss. Beauvillier ranks fourth on the squad in points and second in assists. He’s been above-average in his own zone and solid on the forecheck.
Sure, he’s made some mistakes, but that’s what rookies do. It’s absurd to suggest that some of the other forwards on the team are more effective than Beauvillier. The Isles’ playoffs chances are slashed (even more than they currently are) if he returns to juniors.
- Joey Alfieri of NBC Sports reported Monday that the Isles still hadn’t received any offers for goaltender Jarsolav Halak. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period tweeted today that two teams have made ‘serious’ inquries into Halak. Allan Walsh, Halak and J-F Berube’s agent, vented about the three-goalie situation, earlies this week.
Told this morning there are 2 teams that have made "serious" inquires with NYI on goalie Jaroslav Halak. Talks have picked up, it seems.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) November 2, 2016
- The Isles (4-6-0) suffered their worst loss of the season last night. Thomas Greiss was pulled after the first period, and Halak wasn’t much better. The front office is going to have some thinking to do, because the start of the season hasn’t gone to plan.
