NEWSLETTER
The Blackhawks really think this emoji thing is cute, eh?
https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/1423622395726909445?s=20
Whatever, probably best that the team social media accounts use as little words as possible right now anyway.
Either way, we were treated to a single Bagel emoji this morning, which meant just one thing: Brandon Hagel’s new deal.
https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/1423647423881261066?s=20
After receiving his restricted free agent qualifying offer last month, Chicago signed the 22-year-old winger to a three-year extension today, that comes with a $1.5M AAV cap hit.
To celebrate, bagels on him!
Bagels on me Chicago!! Head over to Dunkin to grab one (or a donut if that’s your thing) before this gift card runs out ⏳ pic.twitter.com/DkEOUblpXn
— Brandon hagel (@Bhags9) August 6, 2021
Hagel was one of the biggest breakout players last season for the Chicago Blackhawks as a rookie. After not signing with the Buffalo Sabres, who drafted him in the sixth-round of the 2016 NHL Draft, Hagel signed with the Blackhawks in October of 2018 and made him professional debut late in the 2018-19 season with the Rockford IceHogs. He scored 19 goals and 31 points in 59 AHL games the next season as a rookie with the IceHogs and made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks on March 11, 2020 (the last game before the COVID shutdown).
https://twitter.com/NBCSBlackhawks/status/1360765231039971330?s=20
As an NHL rookie last season, Hagel skated in 52 games with the Blackhawks and tallied nine goals and 24 points, finishing fifth on the team in scoring and second on the team for rookies behind Pius Suter’s 27 points. Hagel followed up his breakout rookie year with an invitation to play for Team Canada at the World Championships and he helped the Canadians win their 27th World Championships Gold.
Caution: Contents of this gif may be TOO HYPE pic.twitter.com/JZNTlO09R2
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 22, 2021
An aggressive forechecker, Hagel is the right kind of blend of energy, grit, and skill for an up-and-coming Blackhawks team. He’s not the biggest player at 6’0″ and 175 pounds, but Hagel plays above his billing. You saw a lot of growth in Hagel’s game and his confidence as the season progressed last year, and it was rewarded with increased ice-time from head coach Jeremy Colliton. Being able to play in multiple roles in the lineup is part of Hagel’s value to the Blackhawks and he’ll definitely be penciled into a middle-six winger spot at the beginning of the season.
