Julien BriseBois understands the feeling of urgency for the Tampa Bay Lightning, as the general manager of the two-time defending champions just got another big chunk ahead of the NHL trade deadline.
Tampa Bay got forward Brandon Hagel along with 2022 and 2024 fourth round picks from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for 2023 and 2024 first round picks, in addition to forwards Taylor Raddysh and Boris Katchouk.
At the time of this filing, trade is still subject to league approval.
Hagel may lack the name-brand recognition that some of his new teammates carry, but he is in the middle of a breakout season for the Blackhawks, scoring 21 goals and 37 points in 55 games. At 23, Hagel also represents a bridge between the team’s veteran core that is laser-focused on its immediate goals, while still improving as the Tampa Bay core begins to age from its respective premiums.
Athletic’s Shayna Goldman has delivered an excellent record as the hail is underpaid relative to its market value, and he’s still under contract through the 2023-24 season.
Under BriseBois’ close supervision, Lightning were never afraid to act in future top picks in exchange for veterans strengthening their team’s goal of staying at the top of the league.
In February 2020, Lightning acquired Coleman from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a conditional first-round pick, followed a week later by signing Barclay Goodrow from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 2020 first-round pick. Ronn. Both games were essential to Tampa Bay’s Stanley Cup win but left for the Flames and Rangers, respectively, in the free agency this summer in large part due to their market value finally recognized by the rest of the league.
For Chicago, the two first-round picks will accelerate what was a recurring set-up for an organization that has fallen out of favor, both on and off the ice. Gone are the days when a team led by Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews (whose form was significantly withdrawn from his peak years) could always be counted as a top-tier Cup contender.
While it must be disappointing to go from the reigning champions to a team in recognition, there is at least one trusted company for Raddysh. The 24-year-old will be reunited with former Major Junior teammates Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat. Raddysh, Strome and DeBrincat have formed a productive scoring line for OHL Erie Otters in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons.
Tampa Bay’s central task was to find a way to replace his former, stellar third line of Barclay Goodrow, Blake Coleman and Yanni Gourde, who left this summer through free agency and expansion development. BriseBois’ aggressive approach to finding ready-to-win-now veterans during free agency throughout the regular season helped Lightning achieve this goal seamlessly, as Tampa Bay solid contributions from newcomer Corey Perry, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare got, while young, rising forwards Mathieu Joseph and Ross Colton ended up on bigger roles without missing a beat.
Hail will now be able to slot in a Lightning Forward Corps which is the most flexible group in the league when it comes to line combinations.
There is no time to think about the future and the Lightning have made it clear that they will not give up their crown without a brave fight.
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