This former Buffalo Sabres draft pick is dominating this season.
During the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, the Buffalo Sabres selected Brandon Hagel with the 159th overall pick. However, they never signed him to an entry-level contract, but Hagel later landed one with the Chicago Blackhawks. Since then, Hagel has blossomed into a star.
This is certainly the case early on this season as well, as he has six goals, nine points, and a plus-5 rating in his first seven games this campaign with the Tampa Bay Lightning. In addition, he has four goals and an assist over his last two games.
Brandon HagelWith the Sabres needing a top-six scoring forward, it certainly is not the best to see a former draft pick like Hagel thrive with a different team. This is especially so when noting that the Sabres parted ways with him without giving him a chance.
In 300 career NHL games split between the Blackhawks and Lightning, Hagel has 96 goals, 120 assists, and 216 points. During this past season, he had 26 goals and set a career high with 75 points in 82 games. The Sabres certainly could have used this kind of offensive production.