James Hagens Boston Bruins Signing Breakdown | Contract, Fit & Line Combinations
Well, the Boston Bruins have made it official. James Hagens is a Boston Bruin. I know I have been saying it for a while that it was coming, but it’s finally here. In this video, I will break it all down and give my thoughts on where he goes in the lineup, what the deal looks like, and what he brings.
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27 Comments
What do you think about Hagens in the bruins lineup?
Vacation? 😒 Hagens signing? 😏
Im happy.
You an family have great day
I’m so happy he’s already my favorite player I’m not a Pastrnak guy for many reasons I understand hagens won’t be perfect right away his first 2-3 years there’s gonna be a lot of learning lessons but his potential is high and I’m excited for it line wise I think Lindholm and Geekie is a great spot but if they struggle to keep up and we need to change it then go to Minten and kutzsy
If hes in that 3rd line they all could shine. The question is when is he starting? Hopefully soon.
can't wait for him to show off his mad skills. Playoffs will be very exciting. Interesting if he does end up on a line with Minten and Khousy…those would be all players that Donny brought on at the trade deadline and draft. In less than one season, we have a whole new line of young kids.
3rd line means 3 basically rookie players. That will require a lot of trust on the coaches behalf. Looking forward to his few games he'll get. Also that jacket you're wearing is really starting to grow on me. Can you leave a link where I can get one of those puppies?
This is the BEST Bruins channel. Thanks Court for all you do.
I also really like Dom Tiano so it must be a 🇨🇦 thing.
The re-tooling continues. I am of the opinion that the forward group has been stabilized with this signing, that would mean signing Arvidsson, now its time to focus on upgrading the defense. The only four I see as most likely to remain are McAvoy, Zedorov, Aspirot and maybe Lindholm. This could be done through prospects already in the pipeline or trade. I would not want them to sign a free agent as most often that leads to overpaying, even with the cap increases.
The idea of having a kid line is fun to think about, but ultimately, I think you put an elite playmaker like Hagens with a shooter. I know they got Geekie unstuck by playing him with Pasta, but if Strum wants to spread out the scoring, he should try Hagens with Geekie — who's goal scoring thrives when he's paired with a gifted playmaker. There are several options. Sturm needs to figure out the best combinations before the playoffs. Beyond that, Hagens absolutely needs to be on the PP1 with Pasta and Geekie. They would be deadly together. FWIW, nobody talks about how good a SHOOTER Hagens is. He has a bigtime, NHL-level one-timer. He's not just a great passer/playmaker. And I believe on the BC PP, he mostly played the opposite side elbow from Pasta's old spot.
Great summary.
Pretty hard to bring a kid up into NHL playoff hockey, hes about to see a completely different intensity
The idea of him feeding Khustadinov is pretty intriguing. That line could be really fun to watch.
Hagens-Lindholm-Geekie 3 line would be really nice
As always, great video Court! I know I'm in the minority, but I still don't love this move. I would have kept him in Providence for the playoffs. I get why it was done, but I feel everyone's expectations of this kid are way out of hand. I honestly saw someone compare him to Celebrini last night. Um, no. Not by a long shot! My kids go to BC so I've watched most of his games there and he seemed to thrive at wing. I would not put him at center right now. He's got all the tools, he just needs to develop them. I was never blown away watching him like I was with Leonard, Gauthier or Smith though. Still concerned about him learning Sturm's system considering it's taken some vets most of the season to "get it" and that he's heading into the playoffs with no time to bulk up. He's in good hands though with Sturm. I have zero doubt he would make the team coming out of camp for next season, but I do worry if this doesn't go the way everyone expects it to. What happens if he's not the answer to the 3rd line woes? What do the Bruins do then since that will be an issue for the playoffs? Do you make room for Poitras and shuffle Lindholm to wing, so 51 is with Geekie who he's played with before? It will be interesting to watch how this all plays out!
I am happy we signed him. I just personally think its a waste of a ELC year to bring him in for the remainder of this season and playoffs. We know the bruins are not going anywhere, will be a miracle if they make it past the first round. seems like a large waste for that. But besides that its great they signed him.
Your assessment of James Hagens is spot on. I think his initial impact on the Bruins could be undeniable but we all should be realistic. If he performs well that could go a long way toward improving his confidence and a long way toward proving, to himself, that he can perform daily in the NHL 'with the big boys'. That, in and of itself, would be a big win for both the Bruins and Hagens. As far as where he should be in the lineup… I would like to see him start with Lindholm and Geekie. Lindholm's presence would help ease any defensive shortcomings he may have and the presence of Geekie would ease the expectation of being a primary scorer for the line. In the future though. I very much like the idea of him pairing with Minten and Khusnutdinov. With their speed and creativity, they would scare the crap out of opposing lines. Absolutely. On another note, I look forward to the next NCAA season to see how Zellers and Letourneau continue to develop. Also this year's draft will be very intriguing. Imagine if the B's could scoop a player like Chase Reid, Tynan Lawrence or Keaton Verhoeff with their initial first round pick. We'll see.
I like the idea of Hagens-Minten-Khus and with Pasta on PP. Two gamedrivers toghether no, but on PP, very useful. Pasta can fire again, but James can fire very well too, it seems to me like a deadly PP 🙂
The speed is the most important part. Teams with speed have given us trouble this year our lack of it and their speed on offense, like Carolina or San Jose. I think with hagans, they also need to maybe sit kuralyi on that 4th line. Maybe throw eyssimont or steeves there, whoever skates better because kuralyi is slower than molasses and that line isn't doing anything
Just a question from left field, any chance we'll be seeing his older brother Michael on our blue line in the future?
Michael was committed to Harvard, but he gave up that commitment to go to BC to play with James. He'll be playing his junior year at BC.
But he left the Harvard deal for BC because they enjoy playing together. It was reported that they saw that as their last opportunity to play together.
And James had a better season when Michael was in the locker room.
Just a curiosity for the future.
We have plenty of left defensemen Right now. But that would be interesting and fun. They're tight. That type of chemistry could only bring more to the locker room and the Bruins franchise.
I heard that Brady Tckahuck was looking to make his next move to play with Matt before his bro hangs up his skates.
Does the NHL encourage or discourage that? Or is it a relatively objective decision on the part of a franchise?
Because I seriously think the sets of brothers on Team USA had a lot to do with their success in the Olympics.
It's a family affair!
I'm excited to see him get to play this season, hope his presence is noticeable. Maybe it will raise morale, it would be great if he played a part in ending this losing streak.
If he plays this season, its a free hit. He should just go and express himself with no pressure or expectation this year.
When he has a pre-season with us, then see how it goes.
Nice forward looking deal. I am happy for both the player and team.
My confusion, so, he can't be sent to Providence this year. Does he sit a lot upstairs on the 9th? or, does someone else?
How does he slot in? I can't see him taking the place of Kastelick at C. I can see him slotting into 3rd line, winger. I doubt they break up top 2 lines, both are clicking well together. Maybe not a lot of wins, but Zacha's playing well with Ardvisson, and Mittlestadt. Pasta, Geekie and Lindholm are solid.
Can he play with Khusti and Minten? bet that's where he slots. bet thats where a lot of ice time will be in practice.
I am excited!!!
I think Sturm’s gonna be hard pressed to break up the Geekie-Pasta connection after the game in Carolina. Geekie-Minten-Khusnutdinov seems to be the move in my extremely unqualified opinion.
It begins!
any idea why he has #44? i thought he would be in the teens.
Probably wishful thinking but I wonder if Geekies slump ending had any influence on getting Hagens in and moving with the 3rd line now that production seems to have opened back up.