Recent trade activity has a couple of new faces in Washington, including one former foe who is no stranger to success. Thursday saw a deal struck with the Los Angeles Kings, where two-time Stanley Cup Champion Carl Hagelin landed in Washington, for a third round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and a conditional sixth round pick in the 2020 Draft. So who is this speedy forward and what will he bring to the Capitals lineup?
A Swedish native, Hagelin spent the majority of his early years playing College hockey in the United States. However, before landing on American soil, Hagelin played for two seasons between 2005 and 2007 for Södertälje SK’s team in the J20 SuperElit League in Sweden. He tallied 44 goals and 51 assists in his 81 games and ranked fifth in the all time league goals and points scored.
In 2007, Hagelin joined the NCAA for the University of Michigan and became a reliable player and consistent goal scorer, both facts that boded well for his eventual journey to the NHL level. It was the New York Rangers who stood up and paid attention to Hagelin’s speed and firepower, drafting him at 168th overall in the 6th round of the 2007 NHL Entry Level Draft.
Hagelin continued to prove his worth in college hockey, now with everything to play for as an NHL draftee. Between 2008 and 2011, Hagelin played 130 games for the University of Michigan, recording 50 goals and 80 assists for the NCAA organization. He had done enough to prove himself ready for the top level. The Rangers signed Hagelin to a professional contract in 2011 and he joined AHL affiliate the Connecticut Whale for the 2011 Calder Cup Playoffs. Hagelin made his NHL debut (ironically against the Capitals) on 25th November 2011 and recorded his first goal and assist in his opening two games.
The 2014-15 season proved a highly successful one for the dynamic forward, matching his career high 17 goals and recording 35 points in 82 games with the Rangers who went on to win the President’s Trophy. Again, a pivotal moment came against a future team with Hagelin scoring the series winning goal against the Penguins in Game 5 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals.
When Hagelin entered free agency in 2015, a sea change to the west coast beckoned as he was picked up by the Anaheim Ducks. A sluggish start to the 2015/16 season saw Hagelin fail to find his rhythm and his tenure at the Ducks was cut short after only 12 points in 43 games with Anaheim. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in January 2016 and soon rediscovered his speed driven game. Hagelin’s time at the Penguins proved to be career defining as he became a key contributor to Pittsburgh’s 2016 playoff run and eventually a Stanley Cup Champion. Hagelin became a duel champion the following season after defeating the Nashville Predators in the Stanley Cup Final.
With an evolving game and speed at his disposal, Hagelin was again on the move in late 2018, again to the West Coast for what would prove to be a short and uneventful 22 game stint with the Los Angeles Kings.
Now, Hagelin arrives at the Capitals and has stated in recent interviews that he is excited to join the organization. Hagelin’s speed is well known as he is set to bring some much needed strength to the Capitals’ penalty kill. He joins fellow Swedes Nicklas Backstrom, Christian Djoos and André Burakovsky on the culturally diverse roster and fans are excited for what ‘Hags’ will bring to the Caps!
