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Washington Capitals: The case for keeping Jay Beagle

By Ron Juckett

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Jay Beagle #83 of the Washington Capitals carries the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Jay Beagle #83 of the Washington Capitals carries the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Although the Washington Capitals would love having Jay Beagle back, money is tight. Here is why the Caps should re-sign the center.

Center Jay Beagle made it clear he wants to stay with the Washington Capitals. However, the NHL salary cap may be too tight for a return.

Beagle, 32, has played his entire career with Washington. All 10 seasons. He excels with his defense and ability to win faceoffs. Last season he won 58.5 percent in the regular season, a career high, and 60.1 percent in the playoffs.

Talk about getting it right in the clutch.

Not afraid to steal a puck or deliver a hit, grinders like Beagle are required for teams driving for a championship. During the finals, he won 41 of 78 faceoffs, dished out four hits and blocked four shots. In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, his second period goals earns credit as the game-winner.

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Signed as a free agent out of the University of Alaska-Anchorage in 2008, Beagle made the National Hockey League without being drafted. That takes talent and raw skill, something Caps fans know Beagle has in spades. Re-signing him should be easy. Right?

Well… like a teenager describing a relationship on Facebook, it is complicated.

Washington’s first order of business is keeping John Carlson. Whether the Caps have $12 or $16 million of salary cap space this summer, Carlson will get the lion’s share if he stays. The dreaded cap has DC shopping backup goalie Philipp Grubauer.

A restricted free agent, Washington feels they can get more value moving him rather than back up Braden Holtby. Sometimes, reality bites.

Beagle made $1.75 million this season. Not bad for a defensive center whose best attributes are not always on the scoresheet. It is possible a hometown discount could happen but, until Carlson’s situation is known, it is hard to see Washington making any deal.

If a contract cannot get reached, watch for Calgary as an option. Beagle was born and raised in the Olympic city and played his junior hockey for the Calgary Royals.

But, it is in everyone’s interest for Washington and Beagle to come to a deal. The Caps are the only professional home he knows outside of a handful of games with the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads in 2007.

Next: Meeting Todd Reirden

Jay Beagle drew consideration for the Frank Selke Award last year. Although not a finalist this season, it is possible his tenacity drew votes this time. The Washington Capitals are in a tough position. They need him, but they may not be able to afford him.

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