Has Brandon Hagel become the Lightning's most important forward as he ascends into NHL superstardom? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
In these Stanley Cup playoffs, Brandon Hagel has been proving that he’s more than a complementary forward and secondary scorer for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Lately, he’s emerged as one of the team’s most important players and an NHL superstar.
Hagel is off to an incredible start, contributing offensievly while maintaining his effectiveness defensively and physically. In the first four games between Tampa and the Montreal Canadiens, Hagel leads the series in scoring, along with teammate Jake Guentzel, with seven points.
More impressively, Hagel has recorded six goals in those four games, leading the league in that department.
In the 2024-25 season, Hagel introduced himself to the NHL as a player who can put up points at an elite rate. He finished that regular season with 35 goals and 90 points, both career-highs at the time.
This past regular season, Hagel beat his personal best in the goals department with 36. He also tallied 74 points in 71 appearances, less than his previous total, but still impressive for a sixth-round pick from the Buffalo Sabres in 2016.
MORE: 'The Straw That Stirs Our Drink' — Tampa Bay's Brandon Hagel Emerges As Early Conn Smythe Trophy Favorite
However, this playoff campaign has proven that Hagel has officially reached a new level and could be a front-runner for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Hagel does a lot more than just put pucks in the back of the net or on the tape of his teammates’ sticks. In fact, he can basically do any task that a head coach will set out for him.
To highlight how much Lightning coach trusts and relies on Hagel, the left winger has averaged 24:58 of ice time in the first round, ranking first among forwards on the Lightning and second on the team to only Darren Raddysh.
Granted, Games 1 to 3 have all required overtime, but when Tampa took Game 4 in regulation, Hagel still logged 25:34 of ice time, the most he has all series. Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson was the only skater who finished the game with more time on ice.
Hagel has also been used heavily on the penalty kill in these playoffs, ranking fourth among forwards for average time on ice while shorthanded (4:26 per game).
MORE: Lightning Even Series with Statement Win in Montreal
With his expertise offensively and defensively, he rounds out his game with a physical and competitive edge, making him a rarity in the NHL. In Game 2, Hagel’s toughness was put on display when he knocked down 6-foot-3 Juraj Slafkovsky in a fight.
The counting stats for Hagel are impressive on their own. Still, according to naturalstattrick.com, the Lightning have outscored the Canadiens 6-0, have outshot the Habs 25-8 (75.76 percent), and own an expected goals percentage of 68.69 percent at 5-on-5 with Hagel on the ice—pure dominance. All those numbers are team highs.
Hagel can truly do it all, but with this impressive offensive run in this post-season, he’s elevated himself into the NHL’s superstar tier.
Wild show the heart of a champion in crucial Game 4 comeback win
Five young NHL stars we’d like to see play for Team Canada at the World Championship
'Not a question of if, it's a question of when,' NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Winter Classic in Buffalo and more
Todd McLellan’s blunt season-ending criticism highlights crucial off-season for Red Wings