CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks traded top-six forward Brandon Hagel to the Tampa Bay Lightning, starting the roster rebuild in earnest Friday with a package that includes two first-round picks.
The Hawks receive conditional first-round picks in 2023 and 2024 as well as rookie wingers Taylor Raddysh and Boris Katchouk.
The Lightning receive Hagel and the Hawks’ 2022 and 2024 fourth-round picks.
“I said a few weeks ago that we are rebuilding, and this is clearly the start of that,” Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson said in a team statement. “Getting two first-round draft picks as well as two young NHL players helps us kickstart that process in a major way. We know that Brandon Hagel was a fan favorite — our fans loved him for all the reasons we loved him — and we know he will be successful with the Lightning.”
Hagel was second on the Hawks with 21 goals and tied for fifth with 16 assists. He adds offensive depth to a Lightning team that ranks seventh in goals per game (3.37).
Even Hagel sounded surprised by trade rumors that had been floating around.
“Two firsts, a couple prospects, (Connor) McDavid,” Hagel joked after earning his first-career hat trick against the New Jersey Devils last month.
Hagel had been an integral part of the Hawks’ top-six, playing much of the season opposite Patrick Kane at left wing on the top line before manning the same spot with Jonathan Toews and Kirby Dach on the second line.
He also was a fixture on the power play and contributed to the penalty kill.
But shortly after being named the permanent GM this month, Davidson expressed an urgency to acquire draft picks and prospects in an effort to build a consistent playoff contender.
Earlier this month, Davidson said of Hagel: “Brandon’s really turned himself into a very valuable player to us and I think everyone else recognizes that, too. He’s a bona fide NHL player that has some very desirable attributes and his age (23) also makes him a desirable player to us, to many other teams that are not just contending for the Stanley Cup but also desirable to them, as well.
“I think it’s pretty obvious that he would be a desirable player around the league. But we love Brandon and he’s got a home here with us. We’re happy with him. It’s understandable teams would be interested.”
