Brandon Hagel joined NHL Tonight to talk about his decision to stick with the Bolts.
The Tampa Bay Lightning signed forward Brandon Hagel to an eight-year contract extension worth $52 million. This will keep him with the Bolts through the end of the 2031-32 season.
Vice president and General Manager Julien BriseBois announced the deal Tuesday morning. Hagel will count $6.5 million against the salary cap annually when the new contract kicks in for the 2024-25 season.
"It's been a crazy couple of days obviously. That's pretty well the rest of my career, so I think a lot of it came down to I want to start a family, that's what's going to happen in those eight years," Hagel said.
"A lot more goes into it than you think when the talks start to happen, but I couldn't be happier. Obviously a place like Tampa, I mean, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
Hagel had a career-best 64 points in 81 games last year, his first full season with the Lightning since they acquired him at the trade deadline from Chicago.
"You don't know what to expect but at the end of the day, it was kind of, come in do what you possibly can, the best you possibly can. They want you here for a reason."
"I mean it worked out in the end. I felt a little bit more comfortable but you're staying in a hotel not a place you're comfortable with, getting to know the city, not sure where to go eat dinner. I think all those play factors."
Hagel eventually found his way with the Lightning organization. You could find him mixing it up with players like Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point.
If he continues to produce at a top-line rate and the the salary cap increases as expected, this could turn into a steal of a signing for the Lightning.
"I think over the years these guys have been pretty dialed in, especially Stammer," Hagel said. "He's one of the best captains to go around. This guy has a voice but he also knows when to have fun and how to have fun. No matter what, if the guys are going to go do something, he's the captain, you know, he needs to be there and he's going to be there."
Hagel follows Mikhail Sergachev, Erik Cernak and forward Anthony Cirelli, who all received 8-year deals with the team. His trade buddy, Nick Paul also inked a seven-year deal last summer.
"Everyone in this locker room has a voice and that's something that really stuck with me and I think that's why there's so much success in in this dressing room."
After some retooling of the roster combined with their first full offseason in three years, the players are excited and ready for the new season.
"I think if you look at the big picture, I think these guys probably needed a nice rest. And I think that's why everyone's so excited to get back because we know we're still going to be a really good team moving forward."
With a year under his belt, Hagel is now happy calling Tampa home. He's enjoyed watching the city grow around Amalie Arena.
"This place is growing, like it's insane. I moved into my apartment the year after I got traded and I think there's probably seven to ten restaurants that opened up below and around me. This place is going to be one of the best places to live in the world."
His extension locks in new young energy on the roster and a fresh new perspective for the Lightning heading into the 2023-24 season.