OTP - Sabres Need To Bounce Back From A Slow Start 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. <font><font>Brandon Hagel</font></font> [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEwMjM1NjI4NzAzNDU4NTA4/usatsi_24404277.jpg] <font><font>Brandon Hagel</font></font> With 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. RECENT SABRES NEWS Ex-Sabres Defender Placed On Waivers By Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/ex-sabres-defender-placed-on-waivers-by-rangers-ruhwedel] Sabres Need Important Forward To Heat Back Up [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-need-important-forward-to-heat-back-up-quinn] Sabres Star Forward Is Right Back To Dominating [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-star-forward-is-right-back-to-dominating-thompson] Sabres Make Big Statement With Latest Win [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-make-big-statement-with-latest-win-buffalo] Sabres Forward Can Do Something Special Against Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-forward-can-do-something-special-against-stars] Important Sabres Forward Makes Surprising Return To Practice [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/important-sabres-forward-makes-surprising-return-to-practice-aube-kubel] Former Sabres Star Rewarded For Incredible Week [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/former-sabres-star-rewarded-for-incredible-week] Former Sabres Defender Hits Massive Milestone [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/former-sabres-defender-hits-massive-milestone] New Sabres Forward Arrives In A Big Way [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/new-sabres-forward-arrives-in-a-big-way-malenstyn] Sabres Star On Track For Big Bounce-Back Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-star-on-track-for-big-bounce-back-season]