Bruins General Manager Shares High Praise For James Hagens Ahead Of Playoffs

Boston Bruins forward James Hagens

Bruins General Manager Shares High Praise For James Hagens Ahead Of Playoffs originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has high praise for rookie forward James Hagens.

The Bruins selected Hagens seventh overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, and after he completed his season at Boston College, he turned pro by signing an amateur tryout in the AHL. After six games in the AHL, he was rewarded with his entry-level deal and played the final two games of the regular season.

Now, ahead of the playoffs, Sweeney was impressed with how Hagens has handled himself and believes he can make an impact in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

“I thought it permeated around the room,” Sweeney said about Hagens on Thursday. “Our guys noticed it right away. Our guys made a point of saying that they thought it was great that (Hagens) decided to go start (in Providence) rather than just assume that he was going to jump into a lineup and help us get into the playoffs.

“Now it’s a great opportunity, not unlike Charlie a bunch of years ago. He is now an option for Marco if, when and where he wants to play. I think that’s how we had hoped it would play out. But it’s always up to the player to take advantage of the opportunity.”

Boston will play the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Sweeney believes Hagens could make a big impact for the Bruins.