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Like most people in Pittsburgh Anthony Beauvillier Like Marc-Andre Fleury.
New attackers Pittsburgh Penguins Like Fleury, he is a Sorel-Tracy native. “For me, it was natural to become a Penguins fan,” said Beauvillier, whose first NHL game as a fan was a playoff game between Pittsburgh and Montreal.
“I remember cheering for them. Obviously, I wanted Marc-Andre to succeed. He was my idol and my role model growing up, so I always followed the Penguins closely. »
After being selected in the first round New York Islanders Beauvillier played the first seven seasons of his career at the same level, 12 years after Fleury was drafted No. 1 overall by Pittsburgh in 2015. He believes that familiarity will help him adjust more easily to his new team this season.
“I think just getting to know the rinks, the divisions, and the travel better will help a lot. Obviously, being from the East Coast myself, I think the transition will be a little easier. I’m also closer to home playing in Pittsburgh.”
That seems like a piece of cake compared to last season. Beauvillier started the new year in Vancouver after playing out the 2022-23 season with the Canucks. He played 22 games there before being traded to the Blackhawks, who dealt Beauvillier to Nashville at the trade deadline after playing 23 games in Chicago.
“It’s obviously not an easy season for me, especially mentally. It’s difficult to adapt to a different system, a different dressing room and different players. It’s not easy to get to know the cities and feel comfortable in each place.
“I feel like I learned a lot last season, just adjusting to a different group. Obviously I’m looking for more stability right now, and I feel like joining the Penguins will be good for me. »
Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas said he expects Beauvillier to be successful and get his game back on track when he reports to training camp this fall.
“I think the last stretch hasn’t been particularly smooth for him in any capacity. When you start analyzing his performance more, you see that the player who has been so productive and improving for the Islanders since the draft year is still there,” Dubas mentioned last July.
“We just have to give him the environment to show it again. I think he’s willing to bet on himself with a small one-year contract. He’ll have the opportunity to come here and try to earn a spot in the lineup. »
Beauvillier stressed that Pittsburgh should fit his style of play. When he’s at his best, Beauvillier plays with speed and instinct. He’s scored more than 10 goals for five straight seasons (he scored a career-high 21 goals in 2017-18). Beauvillier can also play on the left or right wing, and even played a few games at center last season.
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