The Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning Acquire:
Brandon Hagel (W)
Nick Paul (C/LW)
Tampa Bay Lightning Trade:
Mathieu Joseph (F)
Taylor Raddysh (RW)
Boris Katchouk (LW)
Hagel is definitely an upgrade who could play as high as Tampa’s second line. The young winger is signed beyond this season and could be a truly great pick-up.
He could also be a flash in the pan currently riding the waves of a shooting-streak bender. Even if that’s the case however, he improves the team because he’s a player who can be effective even if he isn’t racking up goals.
In my opinion, there really isn’t much difference between Paul and Joseph though – they’re both third line players on Tampa. Raddysh and Katchouk both played low fourth line minutes for Tampa.
Tampa Bay basically traded two fourth liners for a maybe second or third line player. It’s an improvement but nothing spectacular. They also paid a fortune to make it happen.