Brandon Hagel could have became a Montreal Canadien

This Friday, the Chicago Blackhawks hit the jackpot by trading their young prospect Brandon Hagel. They sent the forward to the Tampa Bay Lightning with two fourth round picks in return for two first round picks, as well as two prospects.

This big return hurts even more when you consider that Brandon Hagel could have been a member of the CH in 2018. At that time, the sixth-round pick, 159th overall, of the 2016 Buffalo Sabres auction, didn't want to settle with the team that drafted him. So he became a free agent and had the freedom to choose his formation.

In order to see what he could do, the Habs' GM at the time, Marc Bergevin, invited him to his rookie camp. Hagel didn't last long and was returned to his junior team, the Red Deer Rebels in the WHL.

With a solid season with his junior team, he accumulated 102 points in 66 games. Hagel eventually agreed to terms with the Chicago Blackhawks on a three-season NHL entry-level contract. You know the rest, Hagel became a very good young player in the league and he got a three year extension last summer valued at $4.5M.


This season, the Saskatoon native has 21 goals and 16 assists for 37 points in 55 games. By acquiring him, the Lightning are able to secure his services, at a low cost, for two more seasons.

In the current situation of the Habs, imagine the team with a Brandon Hagel in its ranks. The development and recruiting team at the time, however, passed on the idea!