Anthony Beauvillier has taken a big step this season and seems to be developing how the New York Islanders had hoped.

His nine goals are tied for second-highest on the team. It’s a great sight for a team who lacks key talent up front and certainly young talent as well.

We all know New York’s forward group is a bit thin. While Derick Brassard impressed during the win streak, he’s now producing a bit more realistically. It’s also unlikely that he factors into the Islanders’ long-term plans. Anders Lee and Jordan Eberle have both started a bit slow as well, while Josh Bailey, though solid for secondary scoring, isn’t a star.

Brock Nelson has been excellent but you do have to wonder as to whether or not his production is sustainable for this season and onwards. After last year as well, it seems as though he could be a 50-55 point player for the years to come but he assuming he’ll be able to keep this pace may be a bit unrealistic.

At just 22 years old, not only does Beauvillier help to provide some much-needed scoring for right now, he also acts as the only NHL-ready young forward on the Islanders roster, other than Mathew Barzal. While the majority of New York’s core forwards like Bailey, Brassard, Eberle, Lee and Nelson all range in the late 20s and early 30s, Barzal and Beauvillier are their two pieces to build around up front.

His 55-point pace would be a huge step from his 28 points last season and given that he’s just 22 years old, this is by no means the peak of his game. He’s been much more involved in the play and with more of an opportunity, he can continue to round out his game to be a legitimate top-six forward.

With Barzal and Beauvillier as the two young top-six worthy pieces and Oliver Wahlstrom on the way soon enough, the Islanders are slowly starting to transition to a younger core that could be competitive long-term.


For more, follow @BenShelley_20 on Twitter.


OTHER ISLANDERS ARTICLES FROM DECEMBER

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Game Recap (Game 24): NYI vs CBJ

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