Lightning announce substantial contract extension for key roster piece

Hagel's current deal still has 1 year remaining at his original $1.5M cap hit. However, his new deal will carry a cap hit of $6.5M beginning in the 2024-2025 season. The soon-to-be 25-year-old set career highs last season with 30 goals and 64 points in 81 games. Hagel played a career high 18:38 in ice time rotating in Tampa's top six.

The Lightning acquired Hagel, along with a pair of fourth-rounders, from the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2022 trade deadline in exchange for two first-round picks, Boris Katchouk, and Taylor Raddysh.

Hagel is the latest member of the Lightning to sign a maximum-term eight-year extension. Along with Hagel Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli, Mikhail Sergachev, and Erik Cernak are all signed through at least 2029-30. All of these players are in the 25-27 year old age range.

The salary cap is expected to rise to $87.5 million for the 2024-25 season. The Lightning project to have $12.6 million in cap space next offseason, with captain Steven Stamkos as the only notable unrestricted free agent.