While the Capitals have been busy negotiating and signing many of their pending free agents, it appears there will be at least one that will be leaving D.C. Earlier in the week, it was reported that longtime Capital and pending unrestricted free ageny center Jay Beagle had drawn interest from the Vancouver Canucks. And now, it seems as though the popular Capital will be heading there come July 1.
Per TSN’s Bob McKenzie, Beagle is expected to sign a multi-year deal with the Canucks on July 1, the first official day of free agency. Despite interest from multiple teams, the Canucks are the frontrunners to land the Capitals’ longtime fourth-line center.
Multiple teams in on Jay Beagle but looks like VAN is front runner to land the UFA centre who is expected to leave WSH for a multi-year deal on July 1.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 29, 2018
During his career with the Capitals, Beagle, who signed with the Capitals as an undrafted free agent, has played in 471 games, recording 116 points (51 goals, 65 assists), with a plus-11 rating. Beagle has established himself as one of the league’s best faceoff men, and has earned a reputation as an extremely hard-working player. While Beagle stated that he was willing to wait past July 1 for the Capitals to deal with their other free agents, the presence of younger, cheaper players such as Chandler Stephenson makes him a bit more expendable. By winning the Stanley Cup with the Capitals this past spring, Beagle became the first player to win a championship in the East Coast Hockey League, American Hockey League, and National Hockey League.
By Michael Fleetwood
I can’t express how sad this makes me. He is one of my favorites. Hope Caps don’t regret this.
Feels like a gut punch. Maybe the reports are wrong.
Go Canucks Go !
Pingback: What Devante Smith-Pelly’s New Contract Says About The Washington Capitals | NoVa Caps
Best of luck to beagle a true professional and one of the hardest workers in the NHL. You will be missed. But will always be a capital forever!
So heartbroken… I hate the business side of sports. Good Luck to you Beags…you will always be a Capital in our hearts. #ALLCAPS #CAPSFAMILY
It is what it is
I hope this is wrong because this is
BULL CRAP!!!! $12 MIL in salary cap and couldn’t come to term… Some players are worth the loyalty!!! Beeeegz brought heart to this team & he has way more to offer than Stephenson does within these next 3 yrs Smh!!!!
This team will miss Beagle big time if true and I hope its not true, his near 60% face off god mark top 5 in nhl year in and out& shutdown bottom 6 ability, pk ability.
Boyd&Stephenson may have speed and or playmaking ability Beagle never had but they wont have the priceless intangibles that he did(Faceoffs, pk god, defense that win championships)
amazing that anyone can win an ECHL, AHL, and NHL contract. I wonder how many players even make it to the NHL from the ECHL? In the event, Beagle is the type of player that who’s value will rise b/c of the Cup run and so off he goes. Good luck to him in Vancouver, it looks like a good fit. He’ll be a solid pro, holding down the fourth line center position and being very useful on the PK. Surprised the Isles didn’t come looking into getting him with noted Beagle-ologist Trotz there. I don’t think the Nucks would be doing themselves or Beagle any favors if they try to move him up in the lineup…
Further thoughts: Beagle might very well make an excellent coach and/or front office guy when he decides to hang up the skates. Seems super smart and a student of the game. He can appreciate the qualities that make the great players great on the ice and he’ll know a little about how to navigate the eddies and whirlpools of ego that must be part of any pro locker room.
Pingback: Beagle Blues: Fans React to the (Likely) Departure of Jay Beagle | NoVa Caps
Pingback: Report: Jay Beagle Expected To Sign Four-Year Contract Worth $12 Million With Canucks | NoVa Caps