Another Tampa Bay Lightning win unsurprisingly marked another strong night for Brandon Hagel. He picked up his fourth career hat trick en route to a 5-3 final score over the New York Islanders.
Two of those goals included a game-winning goal followed by the dagger into the empty net. For good measure, he assisted Jake Guentzel’s power-play goal that made it a 3-1 game. It was only fitting that he was named the first star of the game.
None of this is unsurprising or new. He’s had at least one point in every Lightning win this season. He’s been good for at least 30 goals three times in his previous four seasons, and his defense has warranted Selke Trophy votes.
Last season, he had a career-high six game-winning goals.
Along with his performance, he brings a certain personality - a certain energy.
His teammates have praised his leadership. He knows how to get a crowd excited. The winger brings so much to this team, both on and off the ice.
How he descibed finding a way in the win he played a major role in on Saturday is evident of those leadership skills.
"I think it's a good feeling for the for the group," he said via the Tampa Bay Times. "...We got new players, and you want to be able to build some confidence within the team, within the group & doing that early into the season is a big part of that. Credit to everyone."
These are all the traits of a future captain. When looking to the future of this team, you have to start with him.
Making his case to wear the C is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. He would follow some tough acts. Martin St. Louis is in the Hall of Fame. Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman will join him in due time.
Hagel isn’t a future Hall of Famer, at least not yet. Frankly, there is a lot of career ahead of him before we can even have this discussion, even if he’s already 28.
But being a future Hall of Famer isn’t the deciding factor. Being a great player and how you go about your business is what makes you a captain.
Hagel knows a lot of the right things to say. He’s not afraid to set the tone and get down and dirty.
He's a natural-born leader.
Better yet, the Lightning can benefit in the future from Hagel in another way.
They have him signed long-term to a very team-friendly deal. He's got five years left on his contract with an annual cap hit of $6.5 million. It provides them more flexibility to build around a core group of players that includes him.
By the time he's a free agent in 2032 and due for another payday, the landscape of the NHL salary cap will be so much higher that it's a non-issue. He and Anthony Cirelli provide a balance of continuity and a low cap hit that no one else on this team can bring.
That's what makes him so important to the team's future. He's crucial for the winning product through skill and by setting the tone. He also comes at a steal of a price tag. That space allows for a winning product alongside him. It's the ultimate win-win.
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