Concerning returns for Hagel blockbuster trade

No one expected the Chicago Blackhawks to part with young forward Brandon Hagel, especially for the price the Tampa Bay Lightning acquired him for, a few days prior to the trade deadline.

The Bolts gave up a first-round pick in 2023 and another in 2024, plus prospects Taylor Raddysh and Boris Katchouk, both members of Canada’s 2018 World Juniors team.

And when you pay this much, you expect a lot more than what Hagel has offered the Lightning. Ian Kennedy of the Hockey News has placed Hagel at the top of his minus list of trades at this year’s deadline, with this comment that’s right on the money ahead of Thursday’s games:

“When it costs a team two first-round picks and a talented rookie (Taylor Raddysh) to acquire a player, in this case Hagel, you want results. Three goals in 13 games isn’t a sparkling early return, especially coupled with no assists and the fact he’s regularly playing around 13-minutes a night. Hagel provides cost security, but early returns are concerning.”

We get that Tampa Bay’s championship window is now, for a three-peat too, but we can’t say if Hagel is aware of it…

He needs to get going or else, when it’s time to call out the losers of the trade deadline after the postseason, the Lightning could find itself at the very top of the list for going all out on Hagel.