He’s a two-time Stanley Cup champion, winning the prize in colors Washington Capitals fans didn’t like. Now Carl Hagelin wearing a red Capitals sweater could be a key to the team getting their second Cup.
But none of us know what kind of a roster the Washington Capitals will field out in five months from now or even if Carl Hagelin will be back. The action on the ice may have stopped in Washington, the real work has just begun. Decisions must be made and they could be vital to the future.
There are several players that are entering this summer as either an unrestricted free agent (UFA) or a restricted free agent (RFA). Over the course of the next month, Stars and Sticks is going to look at each Capitals UFA and RFA.
Each player will get a story with reasons on why the Capitals should keep them. Obviously we know the reality that sports is a business and there will be some faces not around next season. Our goal in these posts is to spark debate among the fans on who the Capitals should try to re-sign.
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We will kick things off with Carl Hagelin and why the Capitals should try to bring him back. First and foremost, the Capitals and their fans knew him all too well this time of year.
Whether Hagelin was in New York Rangers blue or Pittsburgh Penguins black and gold, Hagelin got up for playoff games and even provided doom and gloom for Capitals fans spring after spring. Well, expect for last year.
A lot can change in a year, however. Hagelin spent this past season on three different teams. First he was with the Penguins for the early portion of 2018-19 season before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings for Tanner Pearson on Nov. 14.
Then on Feb. 21, just days before the NHL trade deadline, the Capitals acquired Hagelin in a trade with the Kings for a third round draft pick in 2019. That is three teams in under one season, wild for anyone to experience and overwhelming for some.
Not Hagelin.
On breakdown day less than 48 hours after the Capitals’ season ended in an overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, Hagelin described his wild season as a “memorable year” and wishes he and the Caps were still playing.
Hagelin had just eight points combined during his time in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. The Capitals were in the middle of a roller coaster January/February that even included a seven-game winless drought. Both parties needed the jolt and each got it.
“As soon as I got traded here, I got excited. I came to a team that wanted to win every game, that had good swagger and obviously was a real good fit for me,” said Hagelin.
It was a perfect match between the pair. Hagelin could be inserted anywhere in the lineup. No matter if he’s on the first line, fourth line, top-six, bottom-six, Hagelin brings his A-game and does the exact role the coaches give him.
His speed on offense helped both score goals and create plays, kind of like his set up on the Evgeny Kuznetsov goal in Game 7’s loss. Hagelin also boosted a penalty kill that was dismal throughout the regular season but progressed upward thanks to him towards the end.
“I liked the fact that I got a good look from the coaches, got to play with good players, got to play in key situations and felt comfortable here,” added Hagelin.
Hagelin may have had a combined three goals between his time with the Penguins and Kings, but Hagelin did add three goals when he came to the Capitals. Hagelin record 11 points (eight assists) in 20 games with Washington.
bird man fly in any weather @Kuzya92 pic.twitter.com/VGZchGJLsz
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 25, 2019
While that assist to Kuznetsov was the lone stat that shown in the postseason, this was by no means a trade deadline player who flamed out when it mattered most. Hagelin did the little things like block a shot, hit an opponent, kill off penalties, and fly down the ice with his speed.
Imagine what Carl Hagelin would do with a full 82-game season under his belt as a member of the Washington Capitals.
Better yet, imagine Hagelin in the playoffs with a Capitals team that’s more rested and not dealing with the pressure that comes with being a defending Stanley Cup champion.
This early exit was a tough one but come next spring time should the Capitals be back in the playoffs, their batteries will be a lot more recharged. The motivation factor will also kick in.
It would be tough to imagine a Capitals team going the distance in the spring once again without Hagelin being a part of it.