( Photo Credit: John Tlumacki / Globe Staff )

By: Declan Flavin | Follow me on Twitter / X @FlavinDeclan

If James Hagens signs an entry-level contract and gets moved to the Boston Bruins’ roster, the entire 2025-2026 season will take a much more interesting path. The franchise and its fans will go from expectations of an okay year beforehand to potentially a successful fight for a wild-card spot, energized by the rookie insert role that has pushed the team to new heights before.

Whether Hagens is willing to stick around with the Providence Bruins before making his way to the National Hockey League is another discussion for the future, but it’s a similar route to a certain current core player on the team and should be embraced. There’s an instant level of respect and positive energy that a player receives for sacrificing his way through various minor league levels to prove himself ready for competitive NHL play.

The Charlie McAvoy Path Looms as the Most Successful Route

Before joining the Bruins for Game 1 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Ottawa Senators, McAvoy played four games with Providence. After surviving those games, McAvoy quickly transitioned himself as the youngest mainstay in a lineup that desperately needed a youth transition.

With the team’s lineup now being balanced yet less dynamic, the timing window invites a reminiscent situation where Hagens and his skill game are waiting around for a call-up. Ironically, too, Hagens would most likely have veteran linemates like an Elias Lindholm or Pavel Zacha, similar to the experience McAvoy had with Zdeno Chara when he was promoted.

The fact that this is even being discussed is a positive trend for a Bruins franchise that was left with very few resources just a few seasons ago. The overall transition that general manager Don Sweeney has made from scratching everything down and building up has been similar to the apt timing that led to the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals run.

Hagens lines up to be part of the next Bruins’ runs in the upcoming seasons either way, but one should hope that he comes sooner rather than later if they trust in history. From the lack of leading talent in the East and the inviting parameters of a sign and call-up, this budding prospect is destined to be with the Bruins jump-starting the next 2017 era.