Lightning sign forward to eight-year contract extension

Hagel’s deal will give him the third-highest AAV of any Bolts forward next year behind Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point (both $9.5M). Anthony Cirelli ($6.25M until 2031), Mikhail Sergachev ($8.5M until 2030-31), Victor Hedman ($7.875M until 2025) and Andrei Vasilevskiy ($9.5M until 2028) also make over the $6M threshold.

The 24-year-old is coming off a career year, scoring 30 goals and 64 points. His previous best came in 2021-22 when he had 25 goals and 44 points between Chicago and Tampa Bay.

Drafted 159th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2016, Hagel made his NHL debut with Chicago in 2019-20. He became a full-time NHLer the following year before really making his mark the following year. But it wasn’t until 2022-23 that he really established himself as a valuable scoring winger, fitting in nicely into Tampa’s top six.

Hagel was a depth player on Canada’s World Championship team that won gold in 2021, the only time he has ever represented his country internationally.

The Lightning were eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs after making the final three years in a row – winning twice. Hagel wasn’t part of either of the championships, but his acquisition gave the team some extra high-end scoring to keep them in a competitive window. With most of the core signed long-term, minus Steven Stamkos who becomes a UFA next summer, Tampa should remain in a competitive window for a few more years at least.