Visit THN.com/free for a free issue with an annual subscription. Brandon Hagel [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwMjYwMjcyNDE2MzY3NzI0/usatsi_20425298_168400847_lowres.jpg] Brandon Hagel With NHL training camps drawing closer on the horizon, teams are starting to take care of some last-minute business. The Tampa Bay Lightning locked in a key piece of their core on Tuesday, agreeing to terms with forward Brandon Hagel on an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $6.5 million. The deal, which ties Hagel to Tampa Bay through the 2031-32 season, will kick in at the start of the 2024-25 campaign, as Hagel still has one year left on his current deal at a cap hit of $1.5 million. It's not exactly surprising to see the Lightning want to keep Hagel around for the foreseeable future. The 24-year-old has fit in swimmingly with the club ever since coming over at the 2022 trade deadline, racking up 30 goals and 34 assists for 64 points in 81 games with the Lightning last season while also chipping in five points in the club's six post-season games. Hagel is an effective play-driving forward who can fit pretty much anywhere in the Lightning's lineup, fill spots on both special team units and play responsible hockey in his own zone. Set to turn 25 before the season starts, Hagel is only just entering his prime, meaning that the Lightning now have him under contract at a very reasonable price tag for what will likely be the most productive years of his career. While the Lightning have had to shed quite a few important roster pieces over the years thanks to the salary cap, ensuring that Hagel doesn't become the latest casualty is some very nice work by GM Julien Brisebois.
