Anthony Beauvillier was a solid pickup at the trade deadline this season for the Nashville Predators. In a year where expectations were low, even weeks before the deadline, the team still made upgrades.
It didn’t make sense for Nashville to go and spend high draft picks or prospects to load up this season, even with the money they had. That was left to this summer when more could be done. The Predators did get a reward for their efforts in turning the season around and reinforcements were brought in with Jason Zucker and Beauvillier through trades.
Considering Beauvillier cost a fifth-round pick and the Predators have eight draft picks in the first four rounds this year, there was no harm done. He recorded a goal and three points in 15 games to conclude the regular season and then one goal and one assist in six playoff games, both coming in the same game. He played more in the playoffs, but didn’t play his way into a new contract.
Don’t get me wrong, he should get a contract somewhere this summer, but there are two very good reasons why the Predators don’t need to re-sign Beauvillier to bring him back for another go.
Bring in Major Upgrades
The Predators have over $25 million to work with this summer. Some of that will go to the defense, but there are a ton of possibilities at forward as well.
Whether it be through free agency or a trade, the Predators need upgrades up front. The team is in need of a top-6 forward and another top-6 winger couldn’t hurt at all. For some, Nashville is a very desirable destination to go to, so that helps attract players in free agency and keep the Predators off players’ list of teams they can’t be traded to in modified no-trade clauses.
At the very least, two top-6 forwards need to be brought in. As far as their own free agents go, Zucker is the more impactful option than Beauvillier. Now if you think he might be a bottom-6 option, that leads us into the next section.
Prospects Graduating
The Predators have some prospects that need their shot next season. Some have gotten it, but were pushed down or given more time to develop this season. There are three forward prospects that will be eligible for waivers in 2024-25, so at least two of them need to make the team or risk being picked up, and the Predators have lost enough through waivers in recent years.
All three of Philip Tomasino, Juuso Parssinen, and Egor Afanasyev have some NHL experience and will be fighting for spots on the team. It makes little sense for the Predators to give Beauvillier, a 27-year-old who scored five goals and 17 points in 60 games across three teams this season, a roster spot over one of these up-and-coming young players.
There is next to no room and no logical reason why Beauvillier would be chosen over a prospect with much more potential that could be lost or impactful free agents that will help get the Predators back to the playoffs and to even greater heights.
