Chicago Blackhawks trade Brandon Hagel to Tampa Bay Lightning

The Chicago Blackhawks are trading left winger Brandon Hagel, along with two fourth round picks, to the Tampa Bay Lightning for multiple first round picks, Taylor Raddysh, and Boris Katchouk, according to Frank Seravalli.

Hagel has been in trade rumours for a couple of months now as the trade deadline approaches, and with a few days to go, it has finally happened. He currently ranks sixth on Frank Seravalli’s Trade Targets list, and is a hot commodity because of his two-way game, drawing comparisons to the kind of forwards Tampa Bay brought in in 2020 at the deadline with Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow.

While the play style is the first thing that draws that comparison, another big reason for it is his contract. Like Coleman and Goodrow, he comes at a really cheap cap hit with multiple years left on the deal, something highly valuable for cap strapped Cup contenders. Hagel is currently in the first season of a three-year deal with a $1.5 million cap hit.

Despite his reputation, Hagel also comes with some offensive punch, as he has 21 goals and 37 points this year in 55 games. It’s a career high for the forward already, but even if it’s an anomaly, he comes with a strong defensive game that is well worth the contract.

Both Raddysh and Katchouk are former second round picks for the Lightning, drafted in 2016. Both are currently in their rookie seasons, with Katchouk getting two goals and six points in 38 games, and Raddysh getting five goals and 12 points in 53 games.

The first round picks from Tampa Bay are in 2023 and 2024, both of them being top ten protected, according to the team’s official press release.

The trade also means we might see a reunion of the Raddysh-Strome-DeBrincat line from their OHL days with the Erie Otters.