Going into training camp, there are going to be a lot of eyes on young Boston Bruins forward James Hagens. He got his feet wet in the final couple of regular-season games and in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Buffalo Sabres.
In most organizations, there would be very little suspense surrounding a young player like Hagens, and he would be on the Opening Night roster. Not with the Bruins. Not a given for any prospect, unless your name is Fraser Minten and you got a new deal over the summer. He is losing the prospect label.
On Wednesday, general manager Don Sweeney and second-year head coach Marco Sturm spoke to the media and sent the 2025 first-round pick, No. 7 overall a rather clear message.
Bruins' James Hagens gets a message from Don Sweeney and Marco Sturm
Boston had Hagens take part in last week's Rookie Camp, and play in a couple of games in Western New York against the Buffalo Sabres prospects in the annual Prospect Showcase. It was a wise decision. The former Boston College Eagles forward netted two goals on Sunday in a win, then scored four goals in a 4-3 overtime win on Monday afternoon. Sturm didn't mince words about what he thought of his top prospect traveling to play in the two games.
“I was so happy. I’m glad he played in that tournament. I’ve seen in the past with some other guys that I had – it’s a great opportunity to shine, and he did. It gives him a little bit of a head start. I think he feels pretty good today. I saw him around; he was smiling. That means he is going to be ready for tomorrow. That’s all I’m looking for,” Sturm said. “He’s just got to be James Hagens.”
Let's be honest, Hagens did what he needed to do; he went to Buffalo and dominated in the tournament. If you're looking to crack an NHL roster, you need to go and dominate against players of your own age, and Hagens did that. As for Sweeney, well, his take was a little different.
“He has put a lot of work in this summer. Spent a lot of time here in Boston. Went out [to the Prospects Showcase] and played with a lot of confidence,” Sweeney said. “Hopefully he carries that forward into day one of tomorrow and through the exhibition season. And then it’s up to the coaches to evaluate how impactful James is going to be for our club now or down the road.”
There is a logjam of forwards who are going to be battling for a roster spot, and one of those players is going to be Hagens. After dominating at BC, the New York native is clearly ready to be an NHL player on a nightly basis. He has to go out and take advantage of the opportunity that is in front of him in training camp.
Training camp is shorter this preseason, with the number of preseason games going down from six to four, and the regular season schedule expanding from 82 to 84 games. Less training camp time and two fewer preseason games mean less opportunity for everyone. That puts more of an emphasis on the next 13 days before the puck is dropped on the regular season for good on Sept. 29 against the New York Rangers at TD Garden. Let the madness begin.
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