Dom Luszczyszyn: My immediate reaction to this deal was “Anthony Beauvillier? For a second? In this economy?”
“This economy” has been a lot wilder than usual, a true seller’s market, but that still seemed like an extremely steep price for a player who doesn’t really move the needle.
Then I looked deeper and I was pleasantly surprised at how Beauvillier had stepped his game up this season. He’s been quietly solid for the Penguins, enough for the deal to look a lot more understandable.
Sean Gentille: This trade is relevant for the teams involved. We’ll get to that shortly. What’s more important, though, is what it says about the market. At last season’s trade deadline, Beauvillier brought back a fifth-round pick. Today, without much in the way of material change, his value … doubled? Tripled? What’s the conversion rate here? If Vancouver decides to move Brock Boeser, do they get an arena deed in return? To that end, it’s tough to love this one for the Capitals.
That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to like. Beauvillier has scored his share of goals this season. He shoots the puck a bunch. He can skate. The Caps, meanwhile, aren’t getting a ton of production from their bottom six. Beauvillier, if nothing else, can help in that particular space. Pittsburgh thought highly enough of him to give him some time with Sidney Crosby earlier this season. Circumstantial as it might’ve been, he didn’t look completely out of place.
NHL trade grades: Penguins get strong return for flipping Anthony Beauvillier to Capitals
