Brandon Hagel. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/19d68b8b-1587-4a3c-93a6-5a1fcf153647.jpeg] Brandon Hagel. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel ranked second on The Athletic's Dom Luszczyszyn's top 10 NHL contracts in 2025. [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6513956/2025/07/29/nhl-best-contracts-2025-jack-hughes-brandon-hagel/] Hagel is coming off a career season, setting a career high in goals and points with 35 goals and 90 points in 82 games. His offensive output was outstanding, but key factors increase its uniqueness. Hagel finished the season with zero power play goals and just 11 power play points, meaning almost all of his offence came at even strength [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/players/what-does-this-lightning-forward-need-to-do-to-be-the-team-s-breakout-candidate]. The 26-year-old provides the Lightning with more than offensive production, playing on a shutdown line at times with Anthony Cirelli. Hagel is also considered one of the best penalty killers in the NHL, recording three shorthanded goals and seven shorthanded points this season. Hagel does it all for the Lightning, and with just a $6.5 million cap hit for seven more seasons, it's no surprise to see him this far up this exclusive list. "When Brandon Hagel signed an eight-year extension in the summer of 2023, he was coming off a breakthrough 64-point season — an impressive feat given his lack of time on the top power play. Combine that with his ability to drive play, and Hagel was starting to look like a core piece for the Lightning as a potential top-line threat. The max-term deal was a no-brainer, and while there was some sticker shock for some, the $6.5 million cap hit looked like one that would age pretty well (his market value at the time was around $7 million). Today, the only shock is what Hagel has become: one of the best wingers in hockey. Hagel’s rise since signing has been meteoric, culminating in a spot on Team Canada amidst a season where he scored 35 goals and 90 points while finishing top 10 in Selke voting. Hagel has become a star, doing most of his damage at five-on-five, where only two players scored more points than him last season: David Pastrnak and Nikita Kucherov. He’s the real deal. Naturally, that kind of production and defensive utility is going to be worth a lot of money, enough to nearly double Hagel’s cap hit, given his age and the rising cap climate. It may still be a shock at how valuable Hagel has become, but there’s no denying he’s become an eight-figure player after last season. With seven years left on his deal, Hagel has one of the absolute best contracts in hockey," said Luszczyszyn [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6513956/2025/07/29/nhl-best-contracts-2025-jack-hughes-brandon-hagel/]. Screenshot of Dom Luszczyszyn's model. [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ccca12b7-24cb-47e8-838b-46f0f494cf91.png] Screenshot of Dom Luszczyszyn's model. The only player to rank above Hagel was New Jersey Devils [http://thn.com/newjersey] superstar center Jack Hughes, who is entering year four of an eight-year, $8 million contract he signed following the conclusion of his entry-level contract. Also featuring on Luszczyszyn's list were Seth Jarvis (Carolina Hurricanes [http://thn.com/carolina]), Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers [http://thn.com/florida]), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche [http://thn.com/colorado]), Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers [http://thn.com/edmonton]), Dylan Guenther (Utah Mammoth [http://thn.com/utah]), Lucas Raymond (Detroit Red Wings [http://thn.com/detroit]), Matt Boldy (Minnesota Wild [http://thn.com/minnesota]) and Tim Stutzle (Ottawa Senators [http://thn.com/ottawa]). Hagel is the only player on the list to be selected outside of both the lottery and the first round, further proving how impressive a feat this is for the Saskatoon, Sask. native.
