TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Lightning signed forward Brandon Hagel to an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $6.5 million, vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois announced today. The contract extension will begin with the 2024-25 season.
The 24-year-old Hagel established career highs for goals (30), assists (34) and scoring (64 pts.) in 2022-23, his first full season with the Lightning, and finished tied for third on the Bolts for goals and tied for fourth for scoring. He also set career marks for plus/minus (23), penalty minutes (54), power-play goals (7), shots (178), average time on ice (18:39), blocked shots (58), hits (68) and takeaways (92), ranking second in the NHL for takeaways. Additionally, the 6-foot-2, 179-pound Hagel played in all six of Tampa Bay's games during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs and led all Lightning forwards for average time on ice (21:01) while contributing a goal and five points to place second on the Bolts for assists (4) and tied for third for scoring.
Tampa Bay acquired Hagel from Chicago on March 18, 2022 prior to the trade deadline, and he made his Lightning debut a day later versus the New York Rangers. The left-shot winger has played 103 regular season games with the Bolts, recording 34 goals and 71 points, and has been a part of two playoff runs with the Lightning, tallying three goals and 11 points over 29 playoff contests.
Hagel was originally selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the sixth round, 159th overall, at the 2016 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut March 11, 2020 with Chicago and spent parts of three seasons with the Blackhawks before joining the Lightning. For his career, Hagel has posted 64-68-132 points in 211 NHL regular season contests.
That's a pretty good value right there. Tampa's in that era of being able to keep skill guys on the roster and taking reasonable salaries because they are still very much relevant.
Or maybe he has a financial advisor that told him that playing in a state without an income tax means he can take less than a heavily taxed state like NY or country like Canada and actually keep more of his contract.
Great point! Certain teams will enjoy tax related benefits which can create extra cap space in certain instances to attract and retain players.
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.