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Free agent center Jay Beagle is expected to depart from the Washington Capitals after 10 years with the team that drafted him. The Vancouver Canucks are the front-runners to sign Beagle to a multi-year deal, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
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.
— Bobby Margarita (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 29, 2018
Beagle, 32, recorded seven goals and 15 assists in 79 games for Washington last season. He added two goals and six assists and a plus-7 rating appearing in 23 postseason games as the Capitals claimed its first-ever Stanley Cup. The fourth-line center averaged just over 12 minutes of ice time. He was used primarily for defensive zone face-offs, with over 75 percent off his face-offs coming in the defensive zone. He also was key on penalty kills winning 58.5 percent of his face-offs.
Washington has about $9.715 million remaining in salary cap space, however, the team is set on getting back top-six forward Tom Wilson with five remaining roster spots, leaving the door open for Beagle’s departure.
Beagle played in 471 games, scoring 51 goals and 65 assists while with the Capitals.
