Training camp is quickly winding down for the Boston Bruins, and roster decisions are coming for some players, which is going to create some tough decisions. One player who is pushing for a roster spot in top prospect James Hagens.
After impressing at the Prospect Showcase a couple of weeks ago in Western New York in two games against Buffalo Sabres prospects, the seventh overall pick in the 2025 Entry Draft has picked up where he left off in training camp and the postseason. What does second-year coach Marco Sturm think of his camp and preseason so far?
“When he came last year, I felt like he was just a little kid. He’s still a kid – he looks like it in the face – but on the ice, it just feels a little bit different. Part of it is he’s more confident out there. He’s not as nervous. Now he knows us, he knows the system, he knows everything, he knows the players, he knows how we have to play,” Sturm said, per Belle Fraser of BostonBruins.com. “He already looks different to me than last season. He’s bigger, stronger.”
James Hagens gets another chance in Bruisn lineup Thursday night against Flyers
Hagens played well in his first game on Sunday night against the Washington Capitals in a 3-2 shootout victory. He scored the lone goal of the shootout, beating Washington goalie Logan Thompson with a shot between his legs to win the game.
Against Philadelphia, he will be with new linemates. Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov will not be in the lineup, and Sturm didn't tip his hand as to who he'll officially be playing with, although the possibility is there that he could get some shifts with fellow prospect Dans Locmelis.
The signs have been there since training camp opened, and in Sunday's preseason game against Washington, Sturm is going to continue to keep the "Kid Line" together to at least start the season. We won't know officially until next Tuesday night, when the Black and Gold open the season at home against the New York Rangers at TD Garden, as Minten and Khusnutdinov are not making the quick two-game trip that finishes up on Friday night against the Capitals in Washington to close out the preseason.
That's some pretty strong comments from Sturm about Hagens, and if we're being honest, Alex Steeves, Mikey Eyssimont, or any other veteran has not outplayed and looked better than Hagens so far, which should open the door for him to cement his spot on the Opening Night roster.
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