The Boston Bruins begin training camp next week, but some of their prospects will begin Rookie Camp and play in the Prospect Showcase on Sunday and Monday in Western New York against the Buffalo Sabres prospects.
Tuesday, the Bruins released their roster for the Rookie Camp and Prospects Showcase, and one name that popped up that caught some attention was James Hagens. Selected seventh overall in the 2025 Entry Draft, Hagens will take part in the rookies' activities four days before training camp begins next week at Warrior Ice Arena.
When camp for the Bruins begins, there are going to be a lot of eyes on Hanges with the Black and Gold. Just where does he fit in the top nine for the Bruins? NHL.com dropped the top 26 prospects for the 2026-27 season and Adam Kimelman, Mike G. Morreale, and Sebastien Deschambault ranked Hagens No. 5. They think that he's going to end up with a big role for second-year head coach Marco Sturm.
NHL.com ranks Bruins James Hagens the fifth-ranked prospect going into 2026-27 season
Hagens is not guaranteed to make the Bruins roster on Opening Night, but let's be honest, if he isn't, then it would be disappointing. He made his NHL debut last season, late in the regular season, and played in the first three games of the playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres before being scratched for the final three games. The takeaway was a simple one: he belongs in the NHL.
"On a Bruins team looking to get younger and quicker, Hagens should have a chance to prosper in a top-six role this season, either at center or on the wing,'' NHL.com wrote.
Whether or not that is a top-six role remains to be seen. What is also remaining to be seen is whether it's in the top six or on the third line. He played well on the third line last season with Marat Khusnutdinov and Fraser Minten, but at least Minten is headed for a likely top-six role for Sturm at center in training camp.
Boston has been looking to inject youth into the lineup for years, and Hagens is the perfect young player to inject this season. The Bruins acquired JJ Peterka from the Utah Mammoth to essentially replace Viktor Arvidsson, who left in free agency for the Detroit Red Wings, but it'll be worth keeping an eye on how Sturm moves around the lineup in terms of Hagens and where he fits in. It begins this weekend for Hagens and his quest to make the Opening Night roster.
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