No, Say It Ain't So: Blackhawks Trade Brandon Hagel!

Brandon Hagel is a Tampa Bay Lightning.

I knew I should have written my last post earlier about the possibility of what Blackhawk players would be traded before the deadline. Clearly, Kyle Davidson didn't read it before he completed his trade talks with the Lightning or he doesn't care about the opinion from a guy that lives in Winnipeg. Yes, it's true Brandon Hagel along with a pair of fourth rounders in 2022 and 2024 were traded to the Lightning for two first round picks in 2023 and 2024 along with forwards Taylor Raddysh and Boris Katchouk.

It was almost two years ago exactly (March 11, 2020), when Hagel made his NHL debut, the last game that season before the pandemic lockdown. Last season, Hagel had 9 goals and 24 points in 52 games, while this season he has broken out in a big way with 21 goals and 37 points so far in 55 games. Bagel's play since entering the NHL has attracted the attention of his teammates and fans with his undetermined work ethic, he was to be a key player for a rebuild in Chicago. I'm disappointed he's leaving because he is the type of player the Hawks need more of and though he was a late draft pick in 2016, he's a late bloomer that can only make a team better. Tampa is a pretty good team already, so this add (and still staying under the salary cap) will be help even more, as if they need more help.

What do the Hawks get back? The draft picks aren't until 2023 & 2024, so truly the rebuild has begun. Hopefully next year and the year after the Lightning falter badly so we can an earlier pick, which is doubtful. Taylor Raddysh will be familiar to Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome as linemates in junior when they played for the Erie Otters. The line was lethal combination that put up huge numbers together. Whether Raddysh will get an opportunity to play with the pair or even get into the lineup might be answered this weekend when the Hawks play a pair of games against the Wild and Jets. In the last meeting between the Lightning and Blackhawks, Raddysh scored a goal, so he has NHL level skills. I don't know much about Katchouk, he's former second round pick and he has 6 points during his first NHL season in 38 games. 

All in all, the Hawks got back a good return, but until the draft picks are drafted, we won't know who got the best of the deal for several years. Generally though, the team that receives the best player in the deal (including picks) wins the trade, but who knows. The Lightning could possibly win two more cups during this time too. I don't think the Blackhawks are done trading yet. An indication who might be dealt will be during the game against the Wild. A health scratch may mean that player is leaving Chicago soon. Stay tuned!