Today’s episode begins with 18-year-old center James Hagens’ 2025 NHL Draft Profile and WHY the Chicago Blackhawks should consider him with the 3rd pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Host Jack Bushman delves into Hagens’ strengths, weaknesses, and player comparison before analyzing whether the Blackhawks should attempt to acquire former first-round pick Marco Rossi from the Minnesota Wild this offseason. All that and more on Locked On Blackhawks. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.
Hagens Draft Profile (0:50)
Draft Him 3rd? (13:05)
Trade For Rossi? (23:20)
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18 Comments
QUESTION OF THE DAY — Do YOU Want The Blackhawks To Draft James Hagens 3rd Overall? Yes? No? Why or Why Not???!
No. They have enough undersized prospects. I want them to trade up or take Martone.
I think Hagens was what 186lbs. Thats pretty decent should reach 190- 200 after 1 more season in ncaa
I'd say no. Have you been watching the playoffs Florida's killing everybody?
Yes, if Mesa isn't available. He's got speed and skill!
We can get size with our other picks
My draft ranking at 3rd-
Desnoyers
Hagens
Martone
Or trade down.
Rossi is a strong no.
Peterka is bigger and better that is probably a cheaper acquisition.
Hagens? No. Where would you play him – as a 3rd line center behind Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar?? He IS the 3rd best prospect with a higher ceiling than Porter Martone but he is a poor fit for a team that already has a small, undersized talent pool. Martone is the obvious pick here because he is a legitimate winger and NOT a center that needs to be converted to wing to play alongside Connor Bedard. That is why Martone is preferable to either Desnoyers or Anton Frondell. He does not need to learn a new position to play alongside Bedard and he is a superior playmaker and offensive threat, more so than either Desnoyers or Frondell.
Yeah id imagine if the Hawks are seriously considering Rossi theyd have no qualms taking Hagens. Current Hawks roster avg height is around 6'1, which is the avg for a Cup winning team. Im not all that concerned atm.
Question for Mailbag: Is there any Islander U25 top 6 player plus their 2026 #1 pick the Blackhawks would take in exchange for our 2025 #3 overall pick? Islanders get Schaefer and Hagens. We get Holmstrom or Eiserman and their 2026 #1.
Yes take him, u don’t get a top 3 pick every year (hope not) swing for the talent hagens brings he’s the most talented. Get big ass wingers to go with them and we have giant d men already.
I agree completely the hawks should go with Hagens at 3 if Misa isn’t there. I think he has the highest skill set of the remaining prospects, and fits into the Blackhawks current scheme. I understand peoples argument on needing size, but the draft is only one way of acquiring talent. At the Blackhawks current stage of the rebuild, and not having as many high potential forward prospects, you go with the player with the highest ceiling and that is James Hagens.
Islanders are eyeing Hagens ??
It’s him or Martone for me personally he has the highest ceiling of the other forward available, he’s easily the best skater, and he plays center. Dudes 5’10.5”-5’11” not 5’7” size isn’t an issue personally. If they go with Martone I wouldn’t be mad just worried about his skating.
When you are at number 3, you take the best player with the highest upside. If Misa is off the board, that is Hagens. The size issue will shake itself out. KD has been adding size with players like Vanacker (6’1), Boivert(6’2), Green (6’2), Pridham (6’1), Mustard (6’1), and Spellacy (6’3”).
They may not have as high of a ceiling as Martone, but all are much better skaters and who can’t all play center. One or two of them outside of Spellacy will gain size and become power forwards. Just let the process happen..
That's not a definitive take. You could say why they should "consider" anybody. We all know he's a consideration. Who SHOULD they take?
I think hagens is clearly the 3rd best player if not better. The #1 overall potential doesn’t just disappear
Hagens had an underwhelming year but this is a prospect who was a bit undersized making a jump in competition playing on a team where he wasnt relied upon. He could go off next year in a more important role
Yes.. he should be the 2nd Forward off the board after Misa. Speed & skill. The "undersized" label isn't fair at all… he's the same size as Sidney Crosby was as a rookie. He'll grow. He'll be at the top of Hobey Baker by the end of next year. US team leader. Winner. He's the best pick at #3 behind Shaefer and Misa. Hawks should pick him. End of story. do it.