Lightning Name Hagel Best Player of Month
Tampa Bay forward Brandon Hagel earned the Bolts Best Player of the Month honor for October after a standout 16-point stretch.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Hockey
Brandon Hagel was named the Tampa Bay Lightning's Best Player of the Month for October, posting an 8-8-16 stat line with four multipoint games. He tied teammate Jake Guentzel for the team lead with eight goals.
Why it matters
The honor recognizes a strong start for Hagel and a franchise-record 7-0 home opening stretch for the Lightning. Tampa Bay fans at Benchmark International Arena have seen Hagel register a point in every home game this season.
Hagel scored two game-winning goals in October and recorded a hat trick in a 5-3 road win over the Islanders, with eight assists on the season so far. Comparisons with prior Lightning monthly leaders were not provided in the source material.
The players
Brandon Hagel
Brandon Hagel is a forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League, known for his speed and scoring ability.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey franchise in the National Hockey League based in Tampa, Florida.
The details
The Lightning named Hagel their October standout after he produced eight goals and eight assists, including a hat trick in a 5-3 road win over the New York Islanders. He has recorded a point in every game at Benchmark International Arena this season.
Timeline
October 2026: Hagel posts his 8-8-16 month and earns the Best Player of the Month honor.
Thursday: The Lightning host the Chicago Blackhawks at Benchmark International Arena to extend their home streak.
2026-27 season: The Bolts Best Player of the Month award returns as a recurring team honor.
Season Trajectory
Hagel's strong October helps sustain the Lightning's momentum after their franchise-record 7-0 home start, keeping them competitive within the Atlantic Division race. The result positions Tampa Bay's top scorers as central to its early-season standing.
Fantasy managers tracking Hagel should note his eight assists and multipoint consistency, which can carry value during the Lightning's home schedule. The Thursday home game against the Blackhawks offers a near-term opportunity to watch his point streak continue.
The takeaway
Consistent point production from a single forward can anchor a team's early-season identity, as Hagel's home point streak has done for Tampa Bay. Readers following the Lightning should watch whether that consistency holds through the next month.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see the Hockey section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NHL.
