"I remember we talked about it, whether it was about a month ago or a few weeks ago that {Hagel] is a big part of this organization and the type of character we want, type of player we want," King said Saturday. "So I was very shocked after talking to you guys (the media) when they called me in upstairs to talk to me and I was just like, oh, maybe it's me getting traded or something. But when they said his name, I was shocked."
The Blackhawks traded the 23-year-old forward and fourth-round picks in the 2022 NHL Draft and 2024 NHL Draft to the Tampa Bay Lightning for forwards Boris Katchouk and Taylor Raddysh, and a first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and 2024 draft that are top-10 protected.
Hagel scored 37 points (21 goals, 16 assists) in 55 games for Chicago this season.
There could be more trades for the Blackhawks, who general manager Kyle Davidson has said are rebuilding.
Kane has one season remaining on an eight-year contract he signed July 9, 2014, and has been rumored as a trade candidate. The 33-year-old forward, who won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013 and 2015, leads them with 69 points (19 goals, 50 assists) in 58 games this season.
"Obviously, Patrick Kane and guys like that have been around here, they're a staple here in Chicago in this organization," King said. "So hopefully they don't go anywhere and they stay here. Be a part of this."
Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury could become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and has been mentioned in trade rumors. The 37-year-old is 19-20-5 with a 2.90 goals-against average, .909 save percentage and four shutouts in 44 games this season.
"It's a business … 'Flower,' whether he stays or goes, just we have to deal with it," King said. "It opens up a room for some young guys, it gets opportunity to show what they have."
Center Jonathan Toews is reportedly contemplating his future after the Blackhawks traded Hagel, which he said he did not expect.
"Yeah, if 'Hags' is the guy to get traded, if he's not a guy that's a part of a rebuild, then I don't know. I don't know if anyone feels safe at this point, with the way he's been playing and what he's meant to our team," the Blackhawks captain told The Athletic on Friday. "I had a hard time thinking in my mind that he would be one of the guys to get shipped off, considering what he brought in. Yeah, that was a tough one to see. I'm pretty shocked, for sure."
Toews has scored 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) in 51 games this season and has one season remaining on an eight-year contract he signed July 9, 2014.
"Now all of a sudden you realize no one on our team is safe and we could all be going in different directions in the near future," Toews said. "It's pretty discouraging. I'll leave it at that for now."
