Over two years ago I wrote that the acquisition of Carl Hagelin changed the
identity of the Pittsburgh Penguins. I still believe that to be true, but all
good things must come to an end. A deal moving Hagelin out of Pittsburgh may
not happen tomorrow, or even before the start of the season but given the
team';s shifting roster, and financial limitations, a change of scenery feels
inevitable.We could be seeing the final days of Carl Hagelin in a Pittsburgh
Penguins uniform. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)The Real Reasons for Trading
Hagelin

Hagelin was criticized for a poor season in 2017-18 but statistically, that
could not be farther from the truth. His numbers from last season are as
follows:

GAMES PLAYEDGOALSASSISTSPOINTSSHOTSSHOT %

811021311695.90%

Hagelin has only played one full season in the NHL; during the 2014-15
campaign, he skated in all 82 games notching 35 points, including 17 goals. His
 career high came in 2011-12 when he scored 38 points in 64 games. That is only
 seven points more than he scored last year.

Needless to say, general manager, Jim Rutherford did not acquire the Swedish
winger to put up numbers on the scoresheet. His speed and ability to drive play
 are what Hagelin brings to the table.

Per the Corsica Hockey website, last season, Hagelin was among the team leaders
 in driving possession with a Corsi For % of 54.07. Of the players that skated
in more than half the games last season, only Sidney Crosby (55.43), Kris
Letang (54.98), and Bryan Rust (56.37) had better numbers. In a
recent Pittsburgh Hockey Now article, Dan Kingerski noted that Hagelin makes
his teammates better and made a case as to why he should be given a new
contract rather than be traded:

Malkin's Corsi rose to 55 percent with Hagelin. It was 49 percent without.
Hagelin and Malkin took 56 percent of the shots and scored 61 percent of the
goals. Separate, the Penguins scored less than 40 percent of the goals.Hagelin
Pushed out by Younger, Cheaper Alternatives

For all of the expensive veterans on the Penguins roster, there is a bit of a
youth movement going on. Jake Guentzel, Zach Aston-Reese, Dominik Simon, and
Daniel Sprong are all under 24 and will be afforded the opportunity to have a
prominent role on a championship-contending roster this season on relatively
inexpensive contracts. But that will not be the case forever.

Guentzel and Aston-Reese will be restricted free agents after this season and
if they perform well, they will get significant raises. The Penguins have very
little wiggle room on the balance sheet and Hagelin, who already has a cap hit
of $4 million, will be looking for a raise as an unrestricted free agent next
July 1.Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel is due for a raise next July
1, which may force Hagelin out of town. (Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports)

If the youngsters play well, there will be an abundance of capable wingers,
making Hagelin the most logical salary dump. The speedy forward will also be 30
 next season and the Penguins already have eight regulars over that dreaded
age. Advancing age, increasing salary, and encroaching competition are all
indicators that moving Hagelin makes sense.Professional Sport Is a War of
Attrition

The Penguins roster feels like an unfinished product and when you consider what
 parts could still be in motion, Hagelin comes to mind. Obviously, Sidney
Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are not going anywhere. Phil Kessel is always a
wildcard, but for the moment looks safe. Patric Hornqvist just got a new
contract and wields a skill set that no one else on the team has. Bryan Rust,
Riley Sheahan, Sprong, and Simon also just got new contracts and have important
 roles to play.

Aston-Reese is a cheap forward with great potential while Derek Grant and Matt
Cullen were recently signed during free agency. Derick Brassard has been
discussed in trade rumors but given the talent drop off after the former
Ranger, moving him isn';t in the team';s best interest. Those are all of the
Penguins'; forwards so if someone needs to go, the arrow is pointing at
Hagelin.

Carl Hagelin visits Blue Slide Park. Goal replay: https://t.co/BOL5lcm1ED
pic.twitter.com/3Y0CisWRzG

- Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 3, 2016

After the season ended and trade rumors started swirling, Hagelin, Conor
Sheary, and Kessel were among the most rumored to be moving on. Sheary was
traded to the Buffalo Sabres, and Kessel appears to be safe at the moment. That
 leaves one person still in the mix. I have a ton of respect for Hagelin and
his game but by the process of elimination, the speedster appears to be on his
way out.

Until next time.

The post Penguins Trading Hagelin Feels Inevitable appeared first on The Hockey
 Writers.

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