By: Ellie Man | Follow me on Twitter/X @ellieyym
When James Hagens was selected seventh overall in the 2025 National Hockey League draft, Boston Bruins fans celebrated. The pick was a sure crowd-pleaser, with the center expected to have been snapped up earlier. The fervor still hasn’t quite disappeared yet, though many now seem to be up in arms about his five games played so far and the lone assist he notched during this brief stint.
The majority were hoping that the 19-year-old would break out on the ice as a clear superstar, making his signing a day to remember. This was further fuelled by the dream that Hagens’ potential alone could fill the gap in the Bruins’ center line that has proven to be a tough void since Patrice Bergeron and David Krejči both retired in 2023.
In a recent interview given ahead of training camp, Marco Sturm declared, “I’m not a guy who will give them [younger players] everything right away.” Naming Hagens directly, the coach went on to say, “I’m not gonna put him in the first unit of the power play. Can he do it? Yeah, probably. Would he maybe help us? Yeah, probably. Maybe, I don’t know, but he’s gotta earn it first because there are a lot of other guys. They’ve already done that work, and they compete really hard every day. And just because there’s a first-rounder coming in—no, not with me.” These words only fanned the flames further.
When Fraser Minten came to Boston, he’d played 19 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs but had to find his way onto a steady position in the Bruins’ lineup. Through hard work and consistent play across different lines, he secured his place on the starting roster. Sturm described these as “steps in [his] coaching” where the Vancouver native proved he had earned the extra time on ice. Minten played all 82 games during his rookie season, racking up 35 points (17G, 18A) along the way. He earned the NESN’s 7th Player Award for his efforts.
Marat Khusnutdinov was another young player who earned his spot in the 2025-26 season. He joined the Bruins in March 2025 after a trade with the Minnesota Wild, though he took some time to establish his place. The new campaign proved a fresh start for the left-winger. While the victim of several healthy scratches at the start of the season, he soon found his stride and things fell into a more comfortable rhythm. Khusnutdinov totaled 33 points (15G, 18A) over 77 games, and he went on to make his playoff debut, appearing in all six games against the Buffalo Sabres.
Sturm’s tried-and-tested method of integrating his young players is deliberate and measured. His description of “little steps they have to hit” and “boxes they have to check” is at times frustratingly slow, but he seems committed to allowing players to develop at their own pace – all the while maintaining their drive in building their way up to where they want to be. It’s a delicate process that requires a careful balance, walking a fine line between pushing young players and not overwhelming them.
However, the concern that the team’s veterans are automatically being granted opportunities despite younger players showing clear capability is a valid one. Criticisms against Sturm for maintaining status and seniority hierarchies demonstrate that his attempt to accommodate both youth and experience remains far from straightforward. The pressure to justify those veteran roles is mounting, especially with the burden of their contracts.
But with Hagens still needing experience and time to settle in as part of the Bruins organization, Sturm’s approach makes sense. Having been thrown into the fire in his debut last season in the final two games of the regular season and again in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the center doesn’t immediately need top-six minutes on the ice. He just needs the consistency that will give him the chance to develop his game, adapt to the National Hockey League, and build his confidence under the heavy pressure surrounding his arrival in Boston.
Expectations of Hagens remain lofty as a result of his high selection and the Bruins’ shallow prospect pool, but fans need to be patient and enjoy the process of having a young forward and a coach who are both keen to see growth. The 5’11”, 177-pound center remains a work in progress, with the question of just how far he can develop and acclimate to the highest level of hockey. While a breakout season would be welcomed with open arms, I’d also be content just to see Hagens find his own footing and establish himself as a dependable contributor that the Bruins need.
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