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Niklas Hagman News & Rumors

Niklas Hagman's goal lifts Ducks over Flames, 3-2, in a shootout
February 7
Los Angeles Times
 
"Niklas Hagman wasn't exactly sure where he fit in the long-and-winding-and-head-spinning shootout between the Ducks and Calgary Flames. "I can't even … I was the sixth, seventh, eighth shooter? I don't even know," he said. Informed that he was the eighth, Hagman shook his head in mild amusement. Or maybe it was bemusement? Eight was enough as Hagman scored the winner in the shootout against his former teammates, giving the Ducks a 3-2 win on Monday night at the Honda Center. The Ducks might be floundering, losing to the Columbus Blue Jackets the other day and having looked directionless in November and December. But at least the Ducks had one thing going for them at home. They can still"
Ducks defeat Phoenix Coyotes, 4-1, as Nik Hagman scores twice
December 15
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Ducks managed to climb out of the NHL basement after landing there with a resounding thud a day earlier. The lights flicked back on — from unexpected sources and an old friend — and managed to stay on during the Ducks' 4-1 win over the Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday night at Honda Center. That's no small feat this season, considering the Ducks' proclivity for blowing leads of two goals — and, no less, a three-goal lead in Bruce Boudreau's first game as their coach on Dec. 2. This was their first win in three games and they are tied for 28th in the NHL, jumping back over Columbus."
Ducks claim left wing Niklas Hagman of Calgary on re-entry waivers
November 15
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Ducks are turning into Team Finland. The struggling team claimed left wing Niklas Hagman of Calgary on re-entry waivers Monday, and will pick up a prorated amount of Hagman's salary, about $1.1 million. That's not a big investment and could result in an all-Finn line: Hagman's possibly playing with countrymen Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu. The Ducks, with two wins in their last 12 games, need help up front. Hagman had four points in eight games with the Flames."
Hagman knows future with Flames in his hands
September 19
Calgary Sun
 
"Sacrifice means different things to different people. To Niklas Hagman, it was saying sorry to his sweet tooth this summer. The result was about five pounds in weight loss even while working on his strength and speed with fellow Finn Olli Jokinen's personal trainer back home. "That was pretty easy. Just dropped off candy and soda," an upbeat and energetic Hagman said during a break in training camp action. "I just wanted to see if I could do it. I was eating some candy after every meal — just a little bit of candy. Not much — and then I just figured I was going to give it a try. "The first week, two weeks, were tough." Not as tough as his last season with the Flames. Posting 11 goals and"
Flames Hagman clears waivers: 'No hard feelings'
February 23
Calgary Herald
 
"There are no hard feelings. Niklas Hagman cleared waivers for the first time in his National Hockey League career early Tuesday and was happy to be back with the Calgary Flames for their pre-game skate and in the lineup for the game against the Boston Bruins. Yes, it was somewhat embarrassing to be waived and not claimed by any of the other 29 teams. And, yes, he's taking it as a wake-up call. "Obviously it's part of hockey and it's not a nice part, but it's gone now," he said. "I'm still here. My goal is to help the team win, play as well as I can and hopefully do a little bit better. "Obviously it tells me I have to do things better. I have no hard feelings." The three-time, 20-plus goal"
Hagman put on waivers
February 22
Calgary Sun
 
"Proof it's back to reality for the Calgary Flames one day after the Heritage Classic came with a sledgehammer Monday morning. Winger Niklas Hagman was placed on waivers, available to the 29 other teams until 10 a.m. Calgary time on Tuesday. Hagman didn't speak to the media after the club's off-ice workout, saying he'll talk about it when the waiver process concludes, but his teammates were doing their best to support him. "It's tough to see a teammate and a guy in the league for a long time go through this," said Brendan Morrison. "You try to support him as much as you can. A lot of guys have gone through it — I got waived a couple of years ago by Anaheim — and as a player I don't know if"
No big trade looms, but Hagman latest roster tweak
February 22
Calgary Herald
 
"Those hoping for a big splash may be disappointed. But Jay Feaster, the Calgary Flames' general manager since Dec. 28, continues to make the right ripples. Putting Niklas Hagman on waivers Monday is the latest. No different than shifting Craig Conroy off the active roster and promoting him into the front office. No different than sending Ales Kotalik to the minors and easing the Flames' salary-cap pressure. "It's Jay's turn to put his signature, his print, on our squad," Alex Tanguay said after a light off-ice workout at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Family Day. "He wants to make certain moves. I'm sure, now that he's the acting GM, he's got permission to do what he wants with this team, to"
Hagman keeps the faith despite scoring drought
January 25
Calgary Herald
 
"The goals haven't been coming with any kind of regularity so, yes, Niklas Hagman is frustrated. A consistent 20-plus goal scorer during the past three seasons, the 31-year-old Finnish winger had nine on the season and was riding a six-game slump going into Monday night's clash with the visiting Nashville Predators. "You just have to work for your chances, and eventually you're going to get rewarded" sighed the six-foot, 210-pounder, following the morning pre-game skate. "I'm trying to do everything I can for the team and for the line I'm on the ice with . . . obviously try to play it smart so that I don't get scored on, but also create chances. "We've managed to score a couple of goals . ."
Hagman earns invitation to watch from press box
January 6
Calgary Herald
 
"On a rainy day in Vancouver, the weather served as a perfect match for Niklas Hagman's mood. Grim. The Calgary Flames winger watched Wednesday's clash with the Vancouver Canucks from high above the ice in the press box. Predictably, the veteran forward was not exactly thrilled by this turn of events. "I'm not playing," he said after the morning skate from his perch in the visitors' dressing room at Rogers Arena. "Obviously, it's tough. Obviously, I'd rather play. "But I'm not playing today." In 40 appearances Hagman has eight goals and 17 points this season. Eight long games have passed since he registered a single point. Something had to give. "I haven't scored," he said. "I haven't put"
Bullseye on Hagman's chest?
December 16
Toronto Sun
 
"When former Maple Leaf Niklas Hagman looks down at the crest on his chest Thursday night, the Calgary Flames logo might not be the only thing he sees. There might be a bulls-eye there as well, one that ex-Flame Dion Phaneuf could be aiming for, given the past history between the two players. "The way he plays, it could be a possibility," Hagman acknowledged Wednesday. "I faced him enough times when I was in Dallas over the years and it seemed I was kind of a target for him there." With locals here referring to the return of Phaneuf to the Saddledome as "Dion-palooza," it also will be the opportunity for Hagman and fellow ex-Leaf Matt Stajan to face their former team for the first time"
Stajan in line to replace Bourque aside 'jinxed' Hagman
October 13
Calgary Herald
 
"Niklas Hagman is beginning to wonder if he's some kind of jinx. Maybe even a black widow spider. For whatever reason, his linemates keep dropping like flies. "I feel bad," the Calgary Flames winger said Tuesday. "It seems like all the players who play with me tend to get injured." Sure enough, Matt Stajan separated his shoulder in the first pre-season game against Vancouver. His left wing that night? None other than Niklas Hagman. On Sunday night, Rene Bourque staggered off the ice after taking a forearm to the noggin in a collision with Kevin Westgarth. Surprise, surprise. Bourque also plays on the second line with Hagman. "I hope it's not me," Hagman said, with a laugh. Then his face"
Hagman sets sights on playing after eye injury
September 28
Calgary Sun
 
"Niklas Hagman has an eye on playing in pre-season games this week. Especially now that the Calgary Flames left winger can see without any problems. Hagman skated Sunday -- the first time since Tuesday's game in Vancouver -- and let it be known he suffered an eye injury in that outing. "I scratched my eye. During the game, it was OK. After that, it got a little irritated," Hagman said. "My vision was a little blurry, so I didn't want to take any chances with that. Now, it's good. I can see well. I'm good to go." Hagman, slated to be the Flames' second-line left winger, netted a goal and an assist in the 3-1 victory on the West Coast despite being hurt when he was hit by a glove in the face"
Hagman shrugs off good camp, bad camp
September 27
Calgary Herald
 
"Already, it's been a roller-coaster ride of a training camp for Niklas Hagman. In order - some bad, some good, some bad, some good. In order - missing workouts because of the flu . . . turning in a two-point, plus-two, night in a 3-1 win at Vancouver . . . suffering an eye injury in that game . . . returning to the ice Sunday and feeling dandy. Not that Hagman is fretting about finding his rhythm. "No, there's still plenty of time," the Calgary Flames left-winger said after the morning's spin. "I don't worry about that." But his peeper had been cause for concern. A glancing blow Tuesday night to his left eye had initially appeared to be no big deal. "I believe a glove hit it - just a"
Flames hope Hagman will add offensive fire
September 20
Calgary Herald
 
"Niklas Hagman does not subscribe to the tired cliche, "like father, like son." The Calgary Flames sniper grew up in the inner sanctums of professional hockey as the son of Matti Hagman, the former Edmonton Oiler and Boston Bruin. The younger Hagman simply scoffs when asked to contrast his game with that of his dad, the first Finnish-born and Finnish-trained player in the NHL. "Totally different," he says. "He was a centre man. Good on faceoffs. A really good passer. "I'm terrible at faceoffs. I'm bad at passing." Not exactly. In 77 games last season with Toronto and Calgary, Hagman scored 25 goals and 44 points. His dad never recorded more than 21 goals during his time in the NHL. "Yeah,""
Flames' Hagman doesn't skate, Backlund hurt
September 19
Calgary Herald
 
"Let's see now . . . Niklas Hagman wasn't skating and that wasn't expected. Daymond Langkow was skating and that was expected. Those were the first two observations as the Flames split their massive training camp into two groups and took to the ice for their first official skates Saturday morning. No immediate explanation as to why Hagman, the goal-popping winger obtained from the Leafs at the trade deadline, wasn't skating. Langkow, of course, continues to rehab a serious neck injury suffered last March at Minnesota. Elevated to the main group were 20-year-old defenceman T.J. Brodie, forward Cam Cunning and, with Hagman out, forward Jon Reheault."
Scoring returns in Nik of time
March 25
Calgary Sun
 
"Within a week before being traded to the Calgary Flames, Niklas Hagman finished a stretch in which he scored four goals in six games. Back in November, he went on a four-game spree with six tallies. When that run ended, Hagman had seven goals in six games. Throw in a hat-trick against Anaheim in late October and a smattering of goals here and there, and it's how he was a 20-goal scorer before being traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to Calgary in the Dion Phaneuf deal. It's understandable Flames fans have been wondering how he hit the 20-goal standard, having watched him net just one goal in his first 17 games with the Flames. Anyone who tuned into Hagman's performance in Tuesday night's"
Hagman promotion helps Flames climb closer to 8th
March 24
Calgary Herald
 
"Brent Sutter sensed something in the first period. The Calgary Flames coach acted on his hunch immediately, promoting Niklas Hagman to the top unit with Jarome Iginla and Matt Stajan. The shrewd move paid off for everyone. For Hagman, who, turning in his most industrious night as a member of the Flames, scored a beauty of a goal in the third period. For the Flames, who, desperate for any boost they can get, skirted past the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 in National Hockey League action Tuesday at the Pengrowth Saddledome. "Well, my legs feel a lot better," said Hagman, who'd managed only one goal in his first 17 appearances for the Flames. "My game is based a lot on my legs. I try to skate, I try to"
Hagman impresses
March 24
Calgary Sun
 
"Within a week before being traded to the Calgary Flames, Niklas Hagman finished a stretch in which he scored four goals in six games. Back in November, he went on a four-game spree with six tallies. When that run ended, Hagman had seven goals in six games. Throw in a hat-trick against Anaheim in late October and a smattering of goals here and there, and it's how he was a 20-goal scorer before being traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to Calgary in the Dion Phaneuf deal. It's understandable Flames fans have been wondering how he hit the 20-goal standard, having watched him net just one goal in his first 17 games with Calgary. Anyone who tuned into Hagman's performance in Tuesday night's 3-1"
Part-time shine from big line
February 10
Calgary Sun
 
"Jarome Iginla was a stellar setup man. Matt Stajan and Niklas Hagman pulled the trigger. But the fact the Calgary Flames' top trio combined for six points in the 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators means nothing without a win. "Any game you lose is tough to swallow, especially at this time of year," said Stajan, who potted his second goal as a Flame and added an assist in the losing cause. "When you contribute it's nice, but when you don't walk away with a win it doesn't mean anything. We've got to make sure we're doing that and winning hockey games." It was a tease to see the forwards playing so well together, but ultimately unable to make the difference."
Fresh faces hear familiar boo birds
February 2
Calgary Sun
 
"Must have felt like home. Just one day after arriving in Calgary, the four newcomers from the Dion Phaneuf deal were treated to boos as they left the Saddledome ice for the first time Monday night. They're got used to that sort of treatment as members of the Toronto Maple Leafs but don't want to make it a habit here. "It was really nice to see all the red jerseys," new Flames winger Niklas Hagman said after a 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. "Obviously, we would have wanted to play better for each other and for the fans. "The fans, they're free to express their opinion. Hopefully, it's not something we're going to hear much more." Hagman, fellow forwards Matt Stajan and Jamal Mayers"
Shocked, but excited to be dealt to Calgary
February 1
Calgary Herald
 
"Reaction was much the same; surprise, shock and excitement. The four newest members of the Calgary Flames were in a spin early Sunday as they first dealt with the logistics of having been traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs and then settled into the realization it was a chance to further their careers with a more competitive team. "Obviously, it is a shock when you realize that you've been traded, but hockey-wise I'm excited," said Niklas Hagman, a 30-year-old Finnish forward who should add considerably to the Flames offence. "Obviously, having family and a couple of kids, it's not the hockey thing that goes through your mind because hockey is the same in Calgary, Toronto or wherever. It's"
Flames trade Phaneuf to Leafs in multi-player deal
February 1
Calgary Herald
 
"Dion Phaneuf's days as a Calgary Flame are done. General manager Darryl Sutter shipped the heavy-hitting defenceman to Toronto Sunday in a blockbuster deal for forwards Niklas Hagman, Matt Stajan, Jamal Mayers and defenceman Ian White. The Maple Leafs also pick up forward Fredrik Sjostrom and minor-league defenceman Keith Aulie. The Flames desperately needed to inject some scoring acumen into their lineup, and Sutter has certainly accomplished that objective in dramatic fashion. Stajan immediately becomes the second-leading scorer on the Flames with 16 goals and 41 points in 55 games. Hagman has 20 goals and 33 points. White adds some offensive punch from the blueline with nine goals and"
Flames trade Phaneuf to Leafs in exchange for 4 players
January 31
Calgary Herald
 
"Dion Phanuef's days as a Calgary Flame are done. General manager Darryl Sutter shipped the heavy-hitting defenceman to Toronto Sunday in a blockbuster deal for forwards Niklas Hagman, Matt Stajan, Jamal Mayers and defenceman Ian White. The Maple Leafs also pick up forward Fredrik Sjostrom and minor-league defenceman Keith Aulie. The Flames desperately needed to inject some scoring acumen into their lineup, and Sutter has certainly accomplished that objective in dramatic fashion. Stajan immediately becomes the second-leading scorer on the Flames with 16 goals and 41 points in 55 games. Hagman has 20 goals and 33 points. White adds some offensive punch from the blueline with nine goals and"
Leafs get Phaneuf, Giguere in multi-team blockbuster
January 31
Toronto Star
 
"GM Brian Burke has shaken up his struggling squad in a blockbuster multi-team trade with the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks. From the Flames, the Leafs ended up star Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf, as well as forward Fredrik Sjostrom and defenceman Keith Aulie. They gave up forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman and Jamal Mayers, and defenceman Ian White. Burke called Phaneuf "an elite player.""
Leafs complete two-game sweep in Florida
November 28
Toronto Star
 
"The knock on Phil Kessel in Boston was he never really scored the big goal. In Toronto, he seems to only score big goals, and he did it twice Friday night in the Maple Leafs' 6-4 win over the Florida Panthers. His first: The Leafs down by two early – for the 12th time this season – and listless, it was as if Kessel felt he had to do it himself."
This Finn's got flash
November 26
Toronto Sun
 
"It hasn't been an easy year for any Maple Leaf to build confidence but, now that he's got it, Nik Hagman doesn't intend to let it get away. The Leafs forward scored a pair of goals last night to boost his team to a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning and put the flashy Finn on pace for a career season. "When you (are confident), it feels like you've got more time with the puck," Hagman said after scoring his 10th and 11th of the season, tops on the team. "You want to shoot the puck more. It comes a little more naturally when you shoot or make a pass." Not much had come naturally for Hagman until nine days ago. But after a nine-game scoring drought, he has scored five in his past five"
Lightning loses to Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3
November 26
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Coach Rick Tocchet said that coming off a weeklong road trip, he knew Wednesday night's game with the Maple Leafs would be a grind. Tocchet noticed that some guys looked a little tired, and they played like it in a 4-3 loss in front of 15,333 at the St. Pete Times Forum. It was the Lightning's first regulation home defeat of the season. Tampa Bay (9-6-7) showed plenty of fight, coming from behind twice to tie the score. But Tocchet said it wasn't mentally sharp, and a few mistakes, from turnovers to missed coverages, turned into quality chances for the last-place Maple Leafs. "I don't think we showed consistency tonight," left wing Stephane Veilleux said. "We need to get going a little"
Bolts unable to keep pace with Leafs
November 26
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Lightning didn't expect to go all season without losing in regulation at home. Then again, they probably didn't figure the team that would stop their streak would be the struggling Maple Leafs. But with the Eastern Conference's 14th-place team playing on national TV in Canada, the Lightning lacked the energy to keep pace Wednesday night at the St. Pete Times Forum. The result was a 4-3 loss to Toronto before an announced crowd of 15,333 that dropped the Lightning to 9-6-7. At 5-0-4 entering the game, Tampa Bay had been the only team in the Eastern Conference, and only one of two in the NHL, without a loss in regulation at home. The Lightning also had been tied for the NHL lead in"
Hagman lifts Maple Leafs to shootout win over Caps
November 22
Washington Times
 
"Niklas Hagman scored Toronto's lone goal and sealed the shootout with by beating Semyon Varlamov in a 2-1 victory against the Washington Capitals on Saturday night at Air Canada Centre. Varlamov made 38 saves in his fourth consecutive strong outing to get Washington to the shootout. The shorthanded Caps were playing for the second consecutive night and clearly were short on energy as the game wore on. Alex Ovechkin had the lone goal of the opening period. Brooks Laich, playing on the top line with Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, gained the offensive zone with a nifty move and sent the puck to Mike Green in the middle of the ice. Green and Ovechkin had a mini two-on-one, and the two-time"
Fatigued Capitals lose to Maple Leafs
November 22
Washington Times
 
"Not only were the Washington Capitals short seven skaters, but playing on a second consecutive night for the third straight Saturday, they also were short on energy. Semyon Varlamov carried the Caps for as long as he could, though it wasn't enough. Niklas Hagman scored Toronto's lone goal and sealed the shootout with a tally in a 2-1 victory for the Maple Leafs at sold-out Air Canada Centre. "We gutted it out a little bit - we looked pretty tired," Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Sometimes it is a bad one point and sometimes there is a good one point. I thought we were lucky to come away with one." The overall effort wasn't great at the beginning of the contest, but it improved in the"
Capitals overlook Maple Leafs and suffer 2-1 loss in shootout
November 22
Washington Post
 
"Alex Ovechkin splintered his stick in frustration as he headed to the visitors' dressing room at Air Canada Center. Although he moved into a tie for second place in the NHL in goals with his 16th, the Washington Capitals winger was upset with how he had played in his team's lethargic 2-1 shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the league's worst team. "We didn't move our legs [including] me," he said. "I'm not happy how I play today. I'm not happy how my line play today. We score one goal, but we have to score more. We have more ice time than everybody, so we have to use it. We had a couple of chances on the power play, we don't score." Ovechkin scored the Capitals' only goal in"