This afternoon, the Washington Capitals resigned center Jay Beagle to a three-year deal worth $5.25 million.
“I was obviously thrilled. I didn’t hide that I wanted to come back,” said Beagle about his new contract with the Capitals.
Beagle’s contract carries an annual cap hit of $1.75 million. His contract will pay him $1.45 million in 2015-2016, $1.75 million in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. Beagle will receive a signing bonus of $300,000 next season as well.
The center, who is coming off a career year, was set to become an Unrestricted Free Agent on July 1st.
“My agent asked me where my number one place I wanted to go if I reached Free Agency. I said Washington,” remarked Beagle.
Per the Capitals press release on the signing, Beagle set career highs in goals (10), assists (10), and points (20) while tying his career high in games played (62) last season. He even recorded three of his four career multi-point games in the 2014-2015 season.
The Capitals were 15-0-1 when Beagle recorded a point during last year’s campaign. Washington is also 17-0-4 all-time when he scores a goal.
In the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Beagle finished first in faceoff win percentage at 63.8%.
“I think it was a stepping stone,” Beagle said about his career year. “I met goals that I put on myself for a couple years now.”
“Jay is a hard-working player who plays multiple positions and is an excellent face-off man and penalty killer” Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan wrote in a press release on the signing. “Jay has improved steadily since joining our organization and has always brought his game to a different level in the playoffs,”
It’s likely that Beagle will play as the fourth line center in Washington D.C. However, he has different thoughts.
“I don’t really see myself as a fourth line guy,” he said. “I think this last season I showed that I can play in all situations. If they need me on the fourth line I’m definitely there but I don’t see myself, I don’t see myself as a fourth line guy. I’ve always told people my dream job is that third line center position.”