NHL News: Hagel’s extension, Veleno re-signs, and much more
Ryan Gagne
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Today’s NHL news follows up on the latest regarding Brandon Hagel’s extension, Joe Veleno re-signing, Oliver Bonk’s entry-level contract, Alex Chiasson’s PTO, Oiler’s scouting department shuffle, and Jonathan Bernier retiring.
Whether you are into the latest trade buzz, signing news, and more, stick with The Daily Goal Horn.
Tampa Bay Lightning agrees to a max eight-year extension with Brandon Hagel
Since winning back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2020 and 2021, the Tampa Bay Lightning have slowly seen critical players from that run leave town. However, to fill those gaps, the team acquired several new players, including Brandon Hagel, who came to town in March 2022.
During his first season under head coach Jon Cooper, Hagel had a career year with 30 goals, 34 assists, 64 points, and a plus-23 rating. After 61 career points with the Chicago Blackhawks, the 24-year-old already has more points (71) in Tampa Bay in fewer games.
On Tuesday, the Lightning announced they extended Hagel with an eight-year deal valued at $52 million. Additionally, he’ll make $6.5 million a year until the end of the 2031-32 season, with a modified trade clause kicking in after 2028-29. Currently, the native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, plays on the Lightning’s second line and averages 18:39 minutes a night.
Restricted free agent Joe Veleno re-signs with Detroit Red Wings
Although the league is one month away from official preseason hockey, the Detroit Red Wings can say they finished all their offseason business by re-signing their last restricted free agent Joe Veleno to a one-year extension. After 152 NHL games, the 23-year-old from Montreal, Quebec, played in 81 games with the Red Wings in 2022-23, setting career highs in goals (nine), assists (11), and points (20).
Additionally, general manager Steve Yzerman was busy all summer tinkering with the roster by adding Alex DeBrincat, J.T. Compher, and Jeff Petry, hoping to end a seven-year playoff drought in the Motor City. According to DailyFaceoff.com, Veleno doesn’t have a spot in the lineup right now, but with a one-year extension worth $850,000, he will compete in camp and look to skate in as many games this year as the previous one.
Philadelphia Flyers lock up 2023 first-round pick Oliver Bonk with entry-level deal
The Philadelphia Flyers had two selections in the first round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, grabbing Matvei Michkov seventh overall and Oliver Bonk with the 22nd overall pick. As one of the top prospects from his draft class, Bonk hopes to play in the NHL like his father, Radek Bonk (969 games).
On Tuesday, the Flyers announced they agreed to terms with Bonk on an entry-level deal valued at $950,000 for the next three seasons. Although he won’t be in a Flyers’ uniform to start the season, Bonk will continue his junior career with the London Knights in the OHL, where he had 40 points in 67 games last year. Statistically, he was better in the playoffs with 11 points in 21 games as the Knights lost in the OHL Championship.
Boston Bruins sign veteran Alex Chiasson to PTO ahead of training camp
According to CapFriendly.com, the Boston Bruins have about $429,166 left in cap space but signed veteran forward Alex Chiasson to a professional tryout contract on Monday. As a former second-round pick (38th overall) in 2009, the 32-year-old right winger has skated in 651 games with the Dallas Stars, Ottawa Senators, Calgary Flames, Washington Capitals, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Red Wings.
Furthermore, Chiasson won a Stanley Cup ring with the Capitals in 2018 and has 233 points thanks to 120 goals and 113 assists. Although the Bruins are thin at center with Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci recently retiring, this move to acquire a right winger is quite puzzling for the fan base.
Edmonton Oilers shuffle scouting department, announce Rick Pracey as new director
The Edmonton Oilers, still chasing a Stanley Cup with arguably the game’s two best players, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, announced a new head of amateur scouting, Rick Pracey. After just four seasons on the job, the Oilers released former player Tyler Wright from the position, giving Pracey a chance to work his magic with future Oilers’ prospects.
Although Pracey has been with the Flyers since 2014, he was previously the director of scouting with the Colorado Avalanche. Ultimately, he recruited superstars like Nathan MacKinnon, Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog, Ryan O’Reilly, and Tyson Barrie to Denver. Statistically, outside of McDavid’s draft class of 2015, the Oilers have only had four prospects skate in over 100 NHL games.
Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Bernier retires after 14 seasons
On Monday, 35-year-old Jonathan Bernier announced his retirement from the NHL. During his 14-year career, which included backstopping the Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Avalanche, Red Wings, and New Jersey Devils, he won the Stanley Cup with Los Angeles in 2012.
Besides skating in 404 NHL games, he won a Spengler Cup (2012) and a World Junior Championship (2008) with Canada and was an AHL All-Star on one occasion. Although he played with several franchises, he walks away with a 165-163-40 record, a career 2.78 goals-against average, and a .912 save percentage.
The Daily Goal Horn Trivia
Can you name the last first-overall pick to win the Stanley Cup with the team that drafted him?
Monday’s trivia answer: Martin St. Louis