Three days into training camp for the Boston Bruins, there have been some golden rules about training camp practices: never, ever read too much into the lines. Never. However, second-year Bruins coach Marco Sturm is sending a message early in camp: don't be afraid to go back to something from the previous season.
Last season, after James Hagens signed his entry-level deal, he was put on the third line with youngsters Marat Khusnutdinov and Fraser Minten. Quickly dubbed the "Kid Line", they not only finished the regular season together but also played together in the first three games of the first-round playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres.
Hagens was scratched for the final three games of the series, but early in camp, Sturm is keeping the trio together and explained why after practice on Friday, according to Conor Ryan of the Boston Globe.
“I don’t mind putting young kids together, because they should bring a lot of energy,” Sturm said. “They’re smart enough … Why not? I think this is the time. That’s why preseason is the time to try out a few things.”
Bruins coach Marco Sturm keeping the "Kid Line" together, for now
It is a talented group that only has Hagens as the lone homegrown player, picked seventh overall in the 2025 Entry Draft. Khusnutdinov was acquired from the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline in March of 2025 as part of the deal that sent Justin Brazeau to Minnesota. Minten, as everyone knows, was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the same deadline as part of Don Sweeney's fleecing of his division rivals for defenseman Brandon Carlo, who now plays for the St. Louis Blues.
As for Hagens, Minten, and Khusnutdinov, keeping them together feels like Sturm not wanting to upset the apple cart in terms of moving things around when it comes to the lineup. Minten might be best served for the Black and Gold in the top-six, maybe on the second line, with Pavel Zacha sliding up to the top line and Elias Lindholm sliding down. However, as of now, it doesn't seem to be the case.
Hagens turned some heads at the Prospect Showcase last weekend in Buffalo and should have cemented his place on the roster coming out of training camp. Keeping the "Kid Line" together shouldn't really be surprising, but we'll see how long they stay together into the regular season, if they make it that far.
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