Hagel Extension Announces him as a Core Member of Tampa Bay Lightning

If it was not official before, it is official now. The Tampa Bay Lightning view Brandon Hagel as a member of their core. On Tuesday, Hagel inked an eight year extension that will go into effect next season and see him paid $6.5 million per season.

The Lightning have made it a priority in year’s past to get their core members signed a summer before reaching Unrestricted Free Agency. Hagel now joins the likes of Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and others who have signed the maximum eight year extensions before their current deals have expired. After the season Hagel just had, he is now a member of that Lightning core.

Hagel had a career season during the 2022-23 year while skating along side Point and Kucherov for much of it. He reached the 30 goal mark for the first time in his career and added more than 30 assists as well. The Lightning made it a priority to sign him now before his price goes up as he should be expected to put up even better numbers this next season.

Hagel’s extension keeps him in Tampa until the 2031-32 season, keeping him under contract longer than any other member of the Lightning at the moment. There is not guarantee he will play out the entirety of the deal in Tampa but it is clear now that the team views him as a significant piece for the future.

Now the Lightning have pretty much every member of the core locked up with the exception of Steven Stamkos. There is still a good chance he is re-signed before this season rolls around but the Lightning have made it a clear priority to keep their core players under control for as long as possible to remain competitive.

Aging players like Alex Killorn and Ondrej Palat were viewed as core members but not enough to validate the high price tags that they would receive in free agency in their 30’s. The challenge that lies ahead as many of the surrounding pieces continue to change will be surrounding the core with the right pieces to remain Stanley Cup contenders. Their is no question the core is good enough, despite their age. The issue will be what is around them.