It’s a pivotal season for the Pittsburgh Penguins and for newly signed free agent Anthony Beauvillier. Just a few seasons ago, he was a 20-goal scorer trying to firmly establish his NHL career with the rival New York Islanders. From 2017 through 2020, his second, third, and fourth NHL seasons, the left winger scored 57 goals.

He also notched an impressive seven points in the six-game Islanders playoff victory over the Penguins in 2021, including three a goal and two assists in the deciding Game 6.

But after three teams punted him around the league last season, Beauvillier, 27, is looking for a hockey home.

“I feel like starting the year with this group of guys is going to help me, help me a lot. And I just want to be consistent in my game and bring what I do best,” said Beauvillier. I bring speed and skills, and I’m tenacious. So I’m going to try to do that and let the rest take care of itself.”

Beauvillier was the Islanders first-round pick in 2015 and part of the young crop of players trying to crack the more established lineup. He topped out with 21 goals in 2017-18 and a career-high 40 points in 2022-23, but that point total was split evenly between the Islanders and the Vancouver Canucks.

In January 2023, the Islanders made a blockbuster trade to acquire Bo Horvat, but Beauvllier, Aatu Raty, and a protected first-round pick were sent to Vancouver.

And that’s when Beauvillier’s wild ride from a young forward fighting to establish his NHL career to a hockey vagabond began.

He finished the 2022-23 season with Vancouver but, after eight points in 22 games to begin the 2023-24 season, was traded in November to the Chicago Blackhawks for merely a conditional fifth-round pick.

However, rather than joining phenom Connor Bedard and the rebuilding Blackhawks for the long term, Beauvillier barely had a chance to learn his teammates’ names.

After playing 22 games from late November through March, Chicago traded Beauvillier to the Nashville Predators at the NHL trade deadline.

“It was obviously not an easy season for me, especially mentally. It was tough—just to get used to different systems, get used to different dressing rooms and different guys,” Beauvillier said. “Just getting to know the cities and getting comfortable everywhere. It wasn’t easy, but I feel like I learned a lot last season just to get comfortable with different groups. I’m looking for more stability now.”

Nashville’s late charge put the team easily in the playoffs, but Vancouver quickly broomed them away in six games. Beauvillier’s season had come full circle, from starting the campaign with Vancouver to being eliminated by them.

On July 1, he signed the show-me one-year, $1.25 million deal with the Penguins, that team he helped eliminate a few years ago.

“I love playing in Pittsburgh. The fans are great there. The atmosphere–it makes you more excited to play…This team’s always so (good), you know it’s always going to be a tough night,” said Beauvillier. “It’s always hard to go to Pittsburgh and win a hockey game. Now, I’m glad to be on the good side of it.”

Now he gets a fresh start with the Penguins, who are trying to rebuild on the fly. Just like Beauvillier.