James Hagens is off to an outstanding start to his rookie season, and aside from the Detroit Red Wings' armchair GMs demanding he be traded for Dylan Larkin, there's no reason he can't have a long, successful career with the Boston Bruins. Despite Marco Sturm's constant need to dim his success by not playing him late in games, the skilled rookie will eventually play in all situations.
The fanbase's angst towards the head coach makes sense, but not for the reason that some are arguing. Some think it's okay to throw a rookie into the deep end and make him sink or swim, which isn't the best strategy for young players. Sturm would be doing Hagens right by slowing his development, and he still might be doing the right thing, but there is one issue I can't get past.
Hagens isn't like most rookies. On most nights lately, he is one of the Bruins' best forwards. If he were something like the 10th-best forward and Sturm elected to play the 11th-best forward over him, who happened to be a veteran, it would make sense. However, you can't consistently argue that many players are having more of an impact than Hagens.
Asked Sturm when he’ll know it’s time to put more on Hagens’ plate (ie late in regulation/OT):
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) November 3, 2026
“When I feel it. … We gotta build him up. There’s no rush.”
Referenced turnovers as something Hagens needs to clean up. Hagens’ 11 D-zone giveaways are tied for the most among NHL Fs pic.twitter.com/4COqzFU7fT
The argument is that he has been a bit of a turnover machine in the defensive zone. Despite some of the veterans, namely one with a heavier left shoulder this season than in the past, not getting punished for their mistakes, the rookie has been losing ice time for it. Unlike most people, I don't mind that, since rookies have paid that price in sports since the beginning.
What falls a bit flat is the timing of these decisions. If the Bruins are up by two goals and you don't want to risk him coughing up a puck in the defensive zone and chasing it, then by all means sit him on the bench. But when he sits for the last eight minutes against the Vegas Golden Knights and all of overtime when the game is tied and they need a goal, not playing the rookie is a bit of a stretch.
I can understand not playing him in regulation to preserve the loser point, but you can't tell me he wouldn't be one of the Bruins' most dynamic forwards in overtime. There wouldn't be much defense between them, but if Hagens, David Pastrnak, and any of the defensemen get puck possession in the other team's zone, there's a good chance they'll find a way to end the game.
All Bruins fans need to ask of Sturm is to, at some point this season, stop considering Hagens as a rookie and give him the rightful label for what he is: one of your best forwards. I genuinely believe that is coming in Sturm's own time, and unfortunately fans will have to be patient until it comes.
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