(Photo Credit: Steve Babineau / NHLi via Getty Images)

By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44

After James Hagens made his National Hockey League debut last week, alongside Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov, the big question in Boston entering the Stanley Cup Playoffs, would be if the B’s Top Prospect would suit up for the Bruins in Game One against the Buffalo Sabres. Well, he did. The Hauppauge, New York, native, has played in the Bruins’ first two games against the Sabres, with no points, a hooking penalty, and a -1 rating. However, Hagens has played better than his stat line suggests.

In Game Two, Hagens drew a penalty on Sabres star Tage Thompson, driving the backdoor hard on a rush chance, and on the ensuing power play, Pavel Zacha scored to extend the B’s lead to three. He’s also had a few good looks offensively and has been generally reliable in his own end.

Europe

Kirill Yemelyanov this week for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (MHL Playoffs): One game played, no points, no penalties, +1 rating.

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl is a perfect 6-0-0 in the MHL Playoffs, and has advanced to the semifinals, where they’ll meet Chaika for a chance at a trip to the finals.

Juniors

Cole Chandler’s QMJHL career is over. Shawinigan was swept in the second round of the QMJHL Playoffs by the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, ending their season. The Bedford, Nova Scotia, native is committed to Northeastern for next season.

Cooper Simpson this week for the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL Playoffs): Two games played, one goal, no penalties, +1 rating.

Youngstown has its back against the wall on Friday, where they’ll face the Madison Capitols in a do-or-die Game Three. Simpson has the Phantoms’ only goal of the playoffs so far, and they’ll need him to come up big if they’re to come back from a 2-0 series deficit in the best-of-five.

International Play

Vashek Blanar this week for Czechia U19’s: Four games played, two assists, two penalty minutes, Even Plus/Minus.

The Czech U19 team went 2-2-0 in a four-game set against teams from Finland, Slovakia, Sweden, and Switzerland. The Czechs won against Slovakia and Switzerland, but lost to Finland and Sweden. Blanar had assists against Switzerland and Sweden.

What’s Next?

The 2025-2026 season is beginning to wind down, and I’ll continue to have weekly updates on Boston’s Prospect Pool until all of their seasons are over. For more coverage of Providence and Maine, I’d recommend giving a follow to BNG colleagues, Jake Ferraro, and Gregory Thibeau. However, I’ll also begin transitioning to 2026 Draft Preview Coverage shortly and will release my pre- and post-draft Top 10 Bruins Prospect Ranking.

For some samples on what to look forward to, here’s my prospect profile I had last summer for James Hagens, as well as my preseason Top-Ten Bruins Prospects. Thanks for reading the weekly prospect update this season, and I’m excited to share more content with everybody in the next few weeks.