Bruce Boudreau’s answer to a simple question Thursday was telling.
Does Jay Beagle have a concussion?
“You can infer whatever you want to infer,” he said. “But all we’re saying is he’s day-to-day.”
Friday, the Capitals announced Beagle was now “week-to-week.” With that, it’s safe to infer a concussion.
Beagle has not skated since getting hurt in his fight with Arron Asham on Oct. 13.
It is “team policy” not to disclose injuries, except when the Caps do (see Tom Poti’s groin or Jeff Schultz’s broken thumb), just as it’s “team policy” not to disclose contract terms, except when they do (see Brooks Laich’s deal or Jason Chimera‘s, the latter only after beat writers reported the numbers).
Asked Oct. 14 if there was any fear of Beagle having a concussion, Boudreau said: “I thought, initially, like everybody else that that’s what it would’ve been. But he doesn’t have any of the symptoms as of now.”
It’s very possible that changed in the course of that afternoon or the coming days. Asked earlier this week about Beagle, Boudreau’s answer was that he’s “smiling in the locker room.”
He has not been made available to speak to reporters since. Reached Friday, his agent said he did not have any update on Beagle’s condition.
