The Penguins traded left wing Anthony Beauvillier to the Capitals today for a second-round pick (!) in the 2025 Entry Draft.
A very nice return for a 27-year-old forward who was signed last off-season with relatively low expectations. One who I thought performed admirably during his 63 games sporting the black and gold, as his 13 goals, 20 points and minus-1 on a heavily minus team will attest.
IMHO, he proved to be a most pleasant surprise on a team that featured precious few, not to mention being one of Dubas’s better signings.
In addition to his boxcars, decent for a player of his ilk, Beauvillier busted his tail and played a sound two-way game, while slotting effectively up and down the lineup.
Had the return not been so enticing, I would’ve considered re-signing the ex-Islander. However, who can say no to returns this insanely generous?
Happy for him that he’s going from the Metro outhouse to the penthouse and will get a chance to play for a real Cup contender in DC. Best of luck, Beau!
I’ll update this article as trades come in.
Schenn to Winnipeg
WOW! And I thought Vincent Desharnais had a ridiculously short stay in the ‘Burgh!
Less than 48 hours after he was acquired from the Preds, hard-rock defenseman Luke Schenn was peddled to Winnipeg. The return haul? The Jets’ second-round pick in 2026 and a fourth-round pick in ’27.
Being among the last of an apparently dying breed who prefer a little M&M (muscle and mustard) on defense, I’m probably one of the very few who are disappointed Luke won’t be patrolling our backline. Apparently, the grizzled 35-year-old vet wanted to play for a contender and requested to be flipped.
Oh well. Back to our preferred collection of purse swingers on defense. One way or another, we always find a way to reinforce our brand.
Maybe we can reacquire Desharnais. (Kidding, sort of…)
Glass to the Devils
The Pens have sent forward Cody Glass to the Devils for a third-round pick.
No huge heartbreak here. Although by all accounts a really good kid, not to mention a responsible player and analytics darling to boot, the 25-year-old Glass never consistently flashed the offensive form that made him a sixth-overall pick back in 2017. Reinforcing the notion that not all that glitters in the Entry Draft is NHL gold.
Other players may have been involved. Waiting on the details…
…and here they are. Scrappy Baby Pens forward Jonathan Gruden is also heading to the Devils.
In addition to the third-round pick (2027), the Pens receive right wing Chase Stillman, who was the Devils’ first-round pick (29th overall) in ’21 and unsigned center Max Graham, their fifth-round pick last summer.
But hold the phone…there’s an unexpected plot twist here. These kids have decent (Stillman, 6’1″ 185) to good size (Graham, 6’3″ 209). And both can…gasp…fight!
Hey, were the Pens informed of this? Is it too late to exchange them for a couple of 5’11” 174-pound Milquetoasts?
I’m being facetious, of course. But for an organization that has spent the past few months divesting itself of what little scrap and physicality was on hand (Gruden, Corey Andonovski, Jagger Joshua, Vincent Desharnais, Luke Schenn) this comes as somewhat of a shock and surprise.
A pleasant one.
Raking Leafs
According to a report from Chris Johnston, the Pens have acquired two players from the Maple Leafs, right-shot defenseman Conor Timmins and fourth-line center Connor Dewar.
The price? A fifth-round pick in the upcoming draft.
Timmins, 26, stands 6’3″ and weighs 213 pounds, but he’s…predictably/sadly…no crusher (40 hits in 51 games). With a career average of 23 points per 82 games, adequate if not dazzling puck-moving skills. In short, a reasonably competent third-pairing defenseman.
FYI: the former second-round pick of the Avs experienced concussion issues early in his career.
Dewar, 25, is a feisty fourth-line center who’s willing to get his fingernails dirty (80 hits in 31 games). What he isn’t? Large (only 5’10” 192) or productive (three assists in 31 games).
Acquisitions most likely designed to plug (gaping) holes in the lineup while keeping our top prospects ensconced at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton down the stretch.
