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Welcome to Caps 'Round the Clock, a blog covering the Washington Capitals and the NHL. In season, I update the Blog after every practice and on game day with Caps news and information, and then provide a recap and analysis after each contest. I also write a periodical Prospect Watch and weekly feature pieces on the state of the Men in Red and other things Capitals. And of course, I will post videos and tidbits from around the League and offer my two cents as the season wears on. In the offseason, I write a Report Card for each player, and will keep you updated on all the news about the Caps through the summer. I'm glad you're here, and hope you come back!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Report Card: Jay Beagle

Beagle skates against Ottawa in January.
Today I bring you the fourth entry in my "Report Card" series, as I continue my evaluation of each Capital through this past regular season and playoffs. Today's player is checking center/right winger Jay Beagle, who completed his fourth season in the organization this year.

Stats/Season Summary: Beagle had a predictably slow season, playing all of his minutes on the third or fourth lines.  He suited up for 31 games, surpassing his career high by 28, which was set last year, and scored two goals and an assist to go along with a -2 rating and eight penalty minutes. Beagle also scored a pretty sick goal against the Canadiens in December, which was cool, and he got to play in the Winter Classic.  He began the year in Hershey, but was called up in mid December and pretty much stuck for the rest of the regular season, though he was a healthy scratch for a number of games as well as the regular season would down.  One weird stat about Beagle - both of his goals were game-winners. Grade: C- 
Role Play: Beagle, like many of the young Hershey call-ups who made appearances for the Caps throughout the season, did an admirable job of filling holes created by injuries.  Beagle was able to skate some third line minutes when he needed to but for the most part ground stuff out on the fourth line.  Like Andrew Gordon, he didn't look completely incompetent when he played, and he worked hard and kept hs head down, which is exactly what you want from a player like him. Grade: C+
Playoffs: Beagle, after playing the regular season finale, did not see any ice in the playoffs, and there was never really any thought that he would. Grade: N/A
Future Potential: Beagle is signed through next season to a one-way contract, which means that the Caps will pay him $525,000 regardless of whether or not he is in Hershey or DC.  However, the money would not count against the Cap if he was with the Bears.  Because of the probable loss of some forwards to free agency this offseason, as well as the now increasing likelihood of Alexander Semin getting traded, he is likely to earn himself a role of the opening night roster. Despite this, he will not become an impact player as he lacks a scoring touch, he not a defensive specialist, and he is not a fighter. Grade: C-
Here's his goal, because it was pretty sick.


Look for the next Report Card to be posted on May 11th.  It will feature intrepid defenseman Tyler Sloan.

2 comments:

  1. That goal was pretty dang awesome. It's not like he doesn't have it in him to be a quality player. He might be able to hold down a complementary role along with Fehr, whom i believe is ready for full-time as well if he stays healthy.

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  2. Fehr has to be a top option. he can score when he's healthy.

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