The Chicago Blackhawks hold the 3rd overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft—could James Hagens be their guy? The CHGO Blackhawks crew breaks down Hagens’ elite skillset, playmaking ability, and how he could fit alongside Connor Bedard. With the draft approaching, is Hagens the best option to help accelerate the rebuild in Chicago? We dive into all the possibilities in this NHL Draft preview!
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36 Comments
The problem with Hagens is id draft him if I had a crystal ball and could see he was going to be a full time center. But if he ends up a wing, I think I pass. I'd take Martone over him at wing but I'd take Frondell because I think he has more of a shot at being a C
If we had a handful of bigger forwards, Hagens would be a great pick, but mostly all of our forwards are on the smaller side. Eventually, we need to address this, because all great teams have a mix of larger and forwards. We need some guys who can crash the net and battle the huge defensemen in this league.
Hawk's last #3 pick was Kirby Dach. How'd that work out??
If Schaefer is there, Schaefer, if Misa is there, MIsa, but after that I like Desnoyers, for being the complete package, good size, good compete, good (enough) skating, good , shot, good play making, good hockey sense, good leadership, and by all accounts good character, always an important attribute, especially for the Hawks.
I think if Misa’s available we take him and if he’s not I think it’s definitely hagens being taken by the hawks
Probably. It would be a very safe pick at least. By far the biggest sample size of being a productive player in the draft class. Very low risk of him not panning out as a top 6 player.
I wouldn't mind picking the 5'10.5" Hagens #3 if Misa is off the board. I would prefer Martone though. If they do pick Hagens, they would have to trade one of their 5'9"-5'11" forward "prospects" like Nazar. You can't have five 5'11" and under forwards in your lineup let alone in your top 6.
Look, as long as it is a forward who can score, I will be just fine with whoever the organization drafts at 3
Mario has to be bsing here. Hagens was measured by NHL Central scouting at 5'10.5". 18 years don't typically grow much more. To compare the physical profiles of Jonathan Toews at the same age as Hagens is wild. Toews was 6'2" when he was 18. Hagens at 5'10.5" will never be a similar profile as Toews. Sure if grows 3.5 more inches, he could be similar to Toews, but thats really unlikely.
I want them to pick the guy who can produce the most offensively and be Bedards running mate, if that’s Hagens fine but they need to add size and physicality up front especially when it’s time for the playoffs, I think Martone would be perfect for them as he checks all those boxes of a big physical player with grit and who won’t get pushed off pucks easily and provide skill at the same time
Yes he is take him.
I‘m personally more intrigued by Frondell or Martone
I believe in Martone’s upside so he’s my personal pick, but I’m fine with whoever we end up going with.
Sidney Crosby is 5' 11", and he has done alright at center. It sounds like the Hawks will get a good player, regardless of who they pick. Hagens would be a nice choice, but so would Desnoyers and Frondell. That's assuming Misa and Schaefer are off the board. But, still have the combine and associated interviews coming up, which could change things. Need to make sure whoever they pick doesn't have personality flaws or off-ice issues that could exclude them from the Hawks' short list, much like Trevor Connelly last year.
Out of all tho potential players Hagen has the 2nd highest ceiling and the lowest floor. Frondell has struggled in a most international competition to the point where he looks like a bystander. This might be unfair but QMJHL players really since Nathan mackinnon never really end up living up to the hype when they enter the league
Hagens is the most talented of the Frondell/Desnoyers/Martone group. He's the smallest of the 3 but at this point the Hawks need to draft for talent, not need. He's my pick
I think Frondell, Desnoyers, Martone, and maybe even O’Brien (given his chemistry with Vanacker) would be better fits than Hagens. Hagens’ offensive production wasn’t necessarily “elite” this past year and he doesn’t seem to be as well rounded as some of the other choices from a defensive ability standpoint. Less important to me but also noteworthy is that he lacks size. But hey what do I know. I wanted Demidov over Levshunov last year and that didn’t happen. I’m sure the Hawks will take Hagens since he wouldn’t be my first pick. Likely going to be a talented player but just think there are better options at #3 for the Hawks.
Misa or Frondell please.
Yeah Mario, it's a big man's game in the Playoffs. You gotta get to the net, get in front of it, and take some abuse all over the ice.
Hagens would be my first choice if Misa and Schaefer are off the board, Martone would be my 2nd option big RW Power Foreward whos got a lot of skill and speed who could play on Bedard’s Line or Nazar’s on the 2nd line if Nazar isn’t on the top line wing
I would prefer they take Hagens over Frondell. My gut tells me they take Frondell or Desnoyers instead. My gut also tells me that they try to trade into first overall, I feel like KD has something big planned for the draft.. Just fan speculation lol
I really don't want the Hawks to draft another small forward,Hagens. They already have Bedard, nazar and kantserov who all are small. Would like to see them draft Martone but I doubt they will.
Kane was ok on our good teams and worked well in our system, but…he had many larger players who could protect him ! We need to draft/acquire bigger forwards..6'2..6'3..210-220
Mitch Marner is 6.0ft 180lbs. People willing to spend 14 mil a year for him. Hagens can grow taller, gain weight, get bigger.
Hawks need size to protect their midget centers like bedard.
He is not Kane, he had Toews at 6' 4" and Sharp to protect Kane.
if given the opportunity, do we not want the hawks to draft mckenna (5'11 165lbs) next year because he's "too small"? imo, you take the best talent regardless of size. hagens is not tiny like cole caufield or lane hutson. hagens' stats at the usntdp speak for themselves, top 5 (nazar is #18) in all-time scoring (118gms – 187pts) and he broke kucherov's wjc-18 record (7gms – 22pts) as well. this year, hagens helped team usa win the gold medal playing top line minutes in the wjc-20 (7gms – 9pts). the cream will rise to the top!!
Hagens Nowhere Near Top 3 in This Draft Class!
I’m a Blackhawks Fan and This Would Not Be My Choice at 3rd Overall.
If misa is not there at 3 Hagens is the BPA. He fits what yhe hawks are building really well. He will put size on as he matures.
Hawks should take martone at 3 he has size skill and can score 🙏🙏
He might be tyler boootuzzuzi 2.0 just better maybe iunno maybe kirby dach 😂😂
I feel like the 3rd pick will end up like a Kirby dach pick and this draft is akin to that 2019 Draft. Nothing too stand out. Just a meh draft. I’m not putting too much into this draft which is unfortunate for the hawks.
Hagens or martone at 3… anyone else I’m disappointed.
Be nice to get a guy more like Joe Thornton (maybe 3/4 of the skills of Jumbo Joe) than another smaller person, even if they can grow a bit still. Big Buff or Bickel with a little more skill. Here's hoping the Isle decide to take Hagens and the Hawks can get one of the other 2 guys.
i want him in Philadelphia.
Nashville has 3, first rounders. I would be touching bases with Trotz to see if they want to move up to 3 while the Hawks drop to 5 and can get move value out of one of Frondell, Martone, or Desnoyers. The rebuild is not so much based on the individual success of Bedard but the supporting cast they can put around him. The Hawks still should be in prospect acquisition mode. That means they should be targeting 3, first rounders again using the plethora of 2nd rounders they have this year and next.
These discussions nearly always and predictably ignore the existing size in the system. Spellacy is already a super intriguing prospect who projects middle 6. Boisvert is a solid, sandpapery player who projects to a top 6 center. If Hagens is the most skilled player in this draft, then it’s an easy decision to pick him.