Welcome to your 2025 NHL Entry Draft Headquarters right here at Last Word On Sports and Top Shelf Prospects. We have you covered with everything you will need to be ready for the big event. This year’s draft is set to take place on June 27th and 28th live from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles California. Today we bring you our James Hagens Scouting Report.
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The next player we will explore is phenom James Hagens. He has long been considered one of the top prospects for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Despite slipping from a consensus number one pick to a top-ten lock, he remains an elite playmaking centre with a very high ceiling. James’ processing speed on the ice is at such a high level that, when coupled with his elite offensive skill set, makes him a potential franchise-altering player.
James Hagens Scouting Report: 2025 NHL Draft #3
Centre-Left Shot
Born November 3rd, 2006-Hauppauge, NY, USA
Height 5’11- Weight 176lbs [180cm/80kg]
Offensive Development
Hagens can do it all in the offensive zone. Whether he’s passing, shooting, deking, or driving play, he does it at a level above the competition. Not only does he do these things well, but he makes the players around him better in the process. Other than his immense knowledge of the game, the root of Hagens’ offence comes from skating. He utilizes high-end edge work, crossovers, and pivots to evade defenders, constantly keeping them on their heels. His quickness allows him to capitalize on gaps in coverage, making him a dangerous threat every shift. Off the rush, he uses breathtaking speed to control opposing gaps and push back the defensive line. Once his speed has given him extra time and space, he utilizes the dual threat of a shot or pass to keep defenders guessing.
Despite the immense offensive toolkit Hagens possesses, he has struggled to translate it onto the score sheet this season. Through 36 games in his first NCAA season, James has scored only 11 goals and 37 points. Respectable totals for a rookie adjusting to college hockey, but not the record-setting season some were expecting him to have.
James Hagens had a little dip in production throughout the season, but still managed to maintain a Point-Per-Game pace. #NHLDraft #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/CYufoSEcoi
— NHL Draft Prospects (@NHLDraftPros) March 15, 2025
Areas for Improvement
This season, Hagens has failed to translate the things he does best. Where usually he excels at creating time and space for himself off the rush, this season he has struggled, resulting in rushed passes that miss the mark or shots that fail to get through traffic. He is also taking on players one-on-one at a higher rate this year than usual. What previously would have been an easy maneuver through the defender’s legs, is no longer as successful. The level of competition is something that James will have to continue to get used to.
His size has also seemingly caused struggles. While not an overly small player comparatively, Hagens often gets pushed off the puck in board battles and struggles to handle contact around the slot. In an effort to avoid contact, he can be seen rushing plays and hesitating slightly. This takes away the time and space that he is usually so talented at achieving. This becomes an even bigger issue when you envision Hagens making the jump to the NHL over the next couple of years. He will need to add some more muscle and work on his hesitatory play before thinking of making the jump.
Comparisons and Projections
Despite not being the consensus first-overall pick anymore, James Hagens’ scouting report is still an elite one. As a prospect, he is expected to go within the top five selections in the 2025 NHL Draft. Once he has made the necessary adjustments to his game at the college level and is ready for NHL action, Hagens projects as a highly offensive first or second-line centre. He will drive play, score goals, and play critical minutes at both even strength and on the power play.
So far, the comparison that has gained traction is Jack Hughes. The American-born comparison is obvious, but on top of that, both plays display tremendous offensive upside. Like Hughes, Hagens is known for manipulating defenders with deceptive stickhandling, shifty skating, and quick decision-making. In both cases, the offensive creativity stems from their dynamic skating and edgework. With Hughes being roughly the same size, it would be worthwhile for James to try and replicate Jack’s game in hopes of elevating his own.
JAMES HAGENS SAVES BOSTON COLLEGE’S SEASON @spittinchiclets
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) March 28, 2025
Main Photo Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
