The Chicago Blackhawks retained forward Brandon Hagel on a three-year deal at an average annual value of $1.5 million.

Hagel had the designation of 10.2(c) in the NHL's collective bargaining agreement, as he hadn't played enough to be a Group 2 restricted free agent, according to CapFriendly. The soon-to-be 23-year-old will be a pending RFA in the final year of his new deal and will be eligible for arbitration upon its completion.

He collected nine goals and 15 assists while averaging just under 14 minutes of ice time over 52 games in 2021, his first full season with the Blackhawks. Hagel also notched eight markers and seven helpers across 14 contests with Swiss club Thurgau before the NHL campaign began.

The Blackhawks originally signed Hagel as a free agent in 2018. The Buffalo Sabres drafted him 159th overall in 2016.

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