Former Blackhawks forward, Brandon Hagel, has received recognition for his exceptional penalty kill (PK) performance. Despite initial expectations of a long tenure with the team, Hagel was involved in a significant trade that sent him to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2016 entry draft, Hagel, a 24-year-old left winger, was selected in the 6th round, 159th overall.
Unfortunately, due to a knee-on-knee collision and a shoulder injury, the Sabres had to let him go, making him available for the Chicago Blackhawks to pick up. He joined the Blackhawks on a three-year entry-level contract valued at $925,000 per season.
Initially assigned to a third-line role, Hagel focused on improving his penalty-killing and defensive abilities. His dedication paid off, leading to a three-year contract extension worth $4.5 million. However, as the Blackhawks decided they were unlikely to contend for championships, they made the difficult decision to trade Hagel to the Tampa Bay Lightning. In return, the Blackhawks acquired two first-round picks, Taylor Raddysh and Boris Katchouk.
Hagel's impressive numbers are highlighted, and with a salary cap of $1.5 million for this season, he has become a valuable asset for the Lightning, making it essential for the team to secure him for the long term. Although parting with a player of his calibre was challenging for the Blackhawks, the return they received in the trade was deemed to be favourable.
