The Canucks are one step closer to bolstering their centre ice depth, rumoured as the front-runners for the services of Jay Beagle.
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
Beagle was leaned on by the Stanley Cup-winning Capitals to win key face-offs, kill penalties and centre the 4th line. He provides coveted intangibles including grit, but the merit of Vancouver’s interest should be questioned given that they already have a similar pivot in Brandon Sutter.
Moreover, Beagle turns 33 in October and is rumoured to be seeking a multi-year deal driven by recency bias.
Further to @TSNBobMcKenzie report that the #Canucks are frontrunners to land Jay Beagle.
Sources tell me that Beagle contract could look like 3 years and 2.5 million dollars per year.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) June 29, 2018
A contract of this mould would be a head-scratcher to say the least. Perhaps this deal would portend a Sutter trade, though that seems unlikely with how valuable he’s perceived by this management group.
Beagle finished the season registering just 22 points in 79 games.
