yippee
Joined: Jul. 2021
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 2,171
I see the overwhelming number of people that say Chicago won the trade hands-down, and while it certainly looks that way at first glance this is a much fairer trade than what might be assumed. "Two first-round picks?! I thought Brisebois was a smart GM, how could he spend that much on a guy like Hagel?!!??" That's what you all sound like right now. Again, that's completely understandable, but let's address this from top to bottom.
First, let us assume that Katchouk/Raddysh and the two 4ths cancel each other out. While that might not be completely true, it's a good way to simplify a trade like this without changing the value in any significant way. That leaves the trade as two TBL 1sts for Brandon Hagel. This may sound like a lot for a player of his caliber, but let's also look at the factors involved. These two firsts are almost guaranteed to land between 29th-32nd in the draft, and that devalues them a lot compared to other first-rounders. Even if the Lightning somehow fall apart and get a lottery pick in the next two seasons, no sweat. Top 10 protection on both. Nobody is expecting them to pull a 2019-20 SJS, but it's better safe than sorry. Now onto Hagel. The big selling point with Hagel is his contract and age. He's 23, locked up on a steal of a contract until 2024, and still under team control by the end of it. That's an amazing asset for a team to have when a player is producing like Hagel has been, and guess what? He may still have more to give. You play him on either of the Lightning's top 2 lines and he could be a point per game player as soon as next season. There's huge potential here for the Lightning. Even if he holds his current level of production, that's a top 6 forward under a steal of a contract until 2024 that expires as an RFA. Amazing asset, and a shrewd move by JBB to get a guy that can help the team during its cup window. Chicago gets a great return, Tampa gets a great asset. Good deal by both sides.