NHL 2025 DRAFT - Bruins pick 7th II

[mar2kbos]

I really wonder if it’s Martone that falls. Aside from Chicago, who could also use a center, everyone needs a center. I wouldn’t hate it.

I doubt he falls his stock probably went up since he went to Worlds. He was on the ice with NHLers. Any team wanting a quick turnaround on a player will be probably pick him

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

What is the real indicator? Just curious.

The actual strength of play in the league? The style of play and the quality of players up and down lineups. It’s pretty universally known as the weakest league in the CHL - I’m really not going out in a limb here.

 

[Jim]

Hagens freshman stats (37 points in 37 games) pale in comparison to some familiar names.

Eichel 71 points in 40GP
Fantilli 65 points in 36GP
Celebrini 64 points in 38GP

Freshman year points aren’t the only determining factor but it suggests to me he may not be near the level of the above players.

Yo we’ve got a guy that had 0g and 3a freshman year….is that good, or….?

 

[KnightofBoston]

Hagens freshman stats (37 points in 37 games) pale in comparison to some familiar names.

Eichel 71 points in 40GP
Fantilli 65 points in 36GP
Celebrini 64 points in 38GP

Freshman year points aren’t the only determining factor but it suggests to me he may not be near the level of the above players.

Pretty wild Eichel scored that many points in the ncaa as a freshmen but has never cracked 40 goals in the nhl or 100 points

 

[BadBruins]

The actual strength of play in the league? The style of play and the quality of players up and down lineups. It’s pretty universally known as the weakest league in the CHL - I’m really not going out in a limb here.

What is the style of play? What is the strength of competition? Honest question. Not even disagreeing that it's the weakest of the CHL. It probably is... just based on the fact that they have a slightly smaller pool to draw from. There was once a stigma about the Q being wide open.... loose... unstructured.... maybe resulting in some inflated "numbers". I don't see it. Especially now. I've been working in it for almost 20 years. I think the style and systematic approach of all three CHL leagues has almost morphed into one. To the point where there's very little difference currently IMO. Of course you are going to get a little more with the top organizations that have money. Even the small market teams are run with a level of strictness and professionalism that you wouldn't have seen many years ago.

The notion that there's a different "style" to the Q is honestly just stupid uneducated BS IMO.

 

[Montecristo]

I think id be pretty fascinated if the bruins go defense here. They have mcavoy and lindholm. They have zadorov and lohrei. But they really dont have a ton of interesting players coming through the ranks at d either. Id argue its more of a position of need than people think. In all likelihood #7 isnt going to help the 2025-26 bruins. In fact number #7 probably wont be an impact plater until 2027-2028 regardless of position. They traded carlo away so i think right d might be a weakness. Someone like logan hensler i like a lot. He might not be cale makar but maybe he could be brady skjei, or even ryan mcdonagh. He looks real smooth out there, i prefer him to jackson smith.

Mrtka to me is a fun idea too. Imagine an opposing team looking across and its 6-6 mrtka on the right and 6-6 zadorov on the left. I kind of only like him for that scenario though. Ultimately i want the great skating top 4 dman who can move the puck. Hensler will be a solid nhler. Im pretty sure about that. I think every forward in this draft that is available at 7 that could be a possibility could be a complete 0. Eklund, mcqueen, desnoyner, o’brien, frondell, martone…id wager 2 of those guys dont make it. Im not sure which. But i dont trust sweeney to land a whale fishing in that pond.

Hensler. Im talking myself into it

 

[Colt.45Orr]

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Brady Martin

Upside Hockey's NHL Draft profile series: Aces Edition, Vol. 7

upsidehockey.substack.com

 

[Gordoff]

The Bruins need guys who show up with a scoring mentality - they really only have two in Pastrnak & Geekie. From my research Frondell and Eklund jump over the boards trying to do just that

Lindholm was exactly that at IIHF. Zacha has a great shot but defers quite a bit

If Desnoyers slips to 7 no brainer but scoring is what they need and Martone, Frondell, and Eklund all would be where I go

One of them has to be there minimum

I don't know. Talk of Desnoyers playing a similar style to Bergeron piques my interest.

 

[HustleB]

They tore nothing down, They traded overrated players other than brad that where winning nothing in Boston.

Great trade deadline deals where made. The roster still has its core players, We will be in the playoffs next season. No doubt in my mind.

As the famous don godfather says BOOK IT!

I like your enthusiasm I’m not as confident, but, I do think it is possible.

 

[HustleB]

I don't know. Talk of Desnoyers playing a similar style to Bergeron piques my interest.

He played too well late. At first I thought him or Frondell might slide but I think he almost definitely goes top 5 now. Frondell, Eklund and O’Brien are still the guys I think we could be realistically picking from.

 

[HustleB]

The pieces are not here. That group plus Marchand, Carlo, Coyle etc, were struggling to make the playoffs last year.

We have to replace those guys, give Geekie a raise(or replace him).

This was also a very healthy team last year outside of Hampus Lindholm the first half the year and were barely holding onto a playoff spot.

It was a team with no systems as much as a deficit of talent. If you let cheap contracts fill most of our holes you can get 2 guys in UFA. Realistically we want to fill 2 top 6 spots and a top 4 d. We likely get 2 of the 3. That’s a retool and with a revamped system and cheap competition in the bottom 6 I see no reason why this can’t be quick.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

What is the style of play? What is the strength of competition? Honest question. Not even disagreeing that it's the weakest of the CHL. It probably is... just based on the fact that they have a slightly smaller pool to draw from. There was once a stigma about the Q being wide open.... loose... unstructured.... maybe resulting in some inflated "numbers". I don't see it. Especially now. I've been working in it for almost 20 years. I think the style and systematic approach of all three CHL leagues has almost morphed into one. To the point where there's very little difference currently IMO. Of course you are going to get a little more with the top organizations that have money. Even the small market teams are run with a level of strictness and professionalism that you wouldn't have seen many years ago.

The notion that there's a different "style" to the Q is honestly just stupid uneducated BS IMO.

Thinking that there isn’t a different style of play in the Q is honestly just stupid uneducated BS. IMO.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

I think id be pretty fascinated if the bruins go defense here. They have mcavoy and lindholm. They have zadorov and lohrei. But they really dont have a ton of interesting players coming through the ranks at d either. Id argue its more of a position of need than people think. In all likelihood #7 isnt going to help the 2025-26 bruins. In fact number #7 probably wont be an impact plater until 2027-2028 regardless of position. They traded carlo away so i think right d might be a weakness. Someone like logan hensler i like a lot. He might not be cale makar but maybe he could be brady skjei, or even ryan mcdonagh. He looks real smooth out there, i prefer him to jackson smith.

Mrtka to me is a fun idea too. Imagine an opposing team looking across and its 6-6 mrtka on the right and 6-6 zadorov on the left. I kind of only like him for that scenario though. Ultimately i want the great skating top 4 dman who can move the puck. Hensler will be a solid nhler. Im pretty sure about that. I think every forward in this draft that is available at 7 that could be a possibility could be a complete 0. Eklund, mcqueen, desnoyner, o’brien, frondell, martone…id wager 2 of those guys dont make it. Im not sure which. But i dont trust sweeney to land a whale fishing in that pond.

Hensler. Im talking myself into it

I mean that would be something for sure. (Not all rankings are final of course).

 

[LJReborn]

Toronto 1st in 2026 for Howard is more than fine IF Howard will sign here. You’re essentially giving TBL what they used on Howard.

Think you could move a 2nd for him though. Does Tampa have “first round” leverage with him? They could lose him for nothing.

I don't understand the obsession with Howard who finally did well in his third college season,.

 

[Terrier]

With the NHL Draft approaching, director Dan Marr outlines how the Central Scouting Bureau works for all 32 teams - The Boston Globe

The Bureau provides critical logistical information, amateur player reports and rankings, and facilitates next month’s combine in Buffalo.

www.bostonglobe.com

 

[DKH]

Just read Andrew Mahoney’s draft article in the Globe today on Hagens and he told Andrew he would love to play here

If Boston grabbed 2 I think they still take Misa because he’s more a shoot guy.

Bruins just need to follow the consensus - when a guy like Logan Couture consensus rated 3-7 is sitting there at 7, don’t take a guy rated 15 (Zach Hamill)

At 7 pick a guy in the top 10

 

[Bruin4]

Imagine McQueen healthy next year and puts up a 100 points. 6 foot 5 center too. Man that could be a Powerball pick.

 

[Gee Wally]

Before James Hagens decides if he’ll return to BC, he’ll realize a dream by hearing his name called in the NHL Draft - The Boston Globe

It’s hard to imagine any organization having an issue if Hagens chooses to return to campus. Most scouting reports indicate that he could use a bit more seasoning.

www.bostonglobe.com

Before he even arrived at Boston College late in the summer of 2024, James Hagens was being touted as the potential No. 1 pick of the 2025 NHL Draft. He then went out and averaged a point per game (11 goals, 26 assists in 37 games) for a team that went 27-8-2 and repeated as Hockey East regular-season champion.

Yet the 18-year-old forward saw his stock drop slightly, although most scouting reports still have him ranked in the top five. Not that any of it seems to bother the prospect when asked to reflect on the past year.

“I thought I had a great season,” said Hagens this week. “You’re playing against 25-, 24-year-olds every night. It’s tough. It’s hard hockey, but I’m super grateful to be able to have the year that I was able to have with the group of guys that we did have.
“This year went really well, coming in right away and learning how to adapt to the pace of play and the structure of a college-level game. It was something that really helped me and helped my game.”

To some observers, Hagens was in a situation akin to that of Macklin Celebrini, who arrived at Boston University in 2023 as the projected top pick in 2024 and went on to be selected No. 1 by the Sharks last June after posting 64 points.

Once the season started, Hagens worked his way up to centering the top line, skating with 2023 first-round picks Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault. It was a spot occupied the year before by Will Smith, who led the country with 71 points before signing with the Sharks last spring.

“He’s got some things that are a lot harder to teach,” said BC coach Greg Brown. “His spatial awareness and ability to transport pucks and skate by guys, not only with good skating but also by using his brain to set up the people he wants to skate by, whether he’s making them freeze with a fake, or getting them at the wrong foot so he can use the other side against them. He just has some real special attributes that will translate very well to the NHL.”

At times it seemed Hagens may have been too deferential to his older linemates, perhaps not looking for his own shot.

“He did have those moments, but he’s kind of a pass-first player right now,” said Brown. “His vision and creativity to distribute pucks is one of his very best attributes, and I think he enjoys that part of the game, so he’ll grow into becoming a dual threat of scorer and passer.”

Whether that growth continues at BC is not certain, as Hagens hasn’t stated if he will return for his sophomore year. While Smith and Celebrini were one and done, another year in college would seem to be beneficial for Hagens, allowing him to follow in the footsteps of Leonard and Perreault, who jumped to the NHL this spring. Cutter Gauthier also returned for a second year with BC for the 2023-24 season, and went on to lead the nation in goals and was a Hobey Baker finalist.

“You just have to see what happens,” said Hagens. “There’s no decision made yet. That’s a discussion me and my family and the team would have to have after the draft.”

The NHL is not a developmental league, with teams playing three to four times a week. The college schedule typically calls for no more than two games a week, on weekends, allowing for more practices. It also provides an opportunity to hit the weight room so players can withstand the rigors of the NHL when they do make the jump.

It’s hard to imagine any organization having an issue if Hagens chooses to return to campus. Most scouting reports indicate that he could use a bit more seasoning. He certainly seems to have enjoyed his time in Boston, and didn’t flinch when asked about the prospect of falling to Bruins, who own the seventh pick.

“I love Boston,” Hagens said. “Obviously being at Boston College, I’m right in the middle of Boston there. It’s a beautiful city. Only great things to say about it.”

 

[DKH]

I won’t complain about it but I would rather one of the 2 Swedes or JOB

 

[DKH]

Draft 4 weeks from today

Sturm here today

Finals
Brad/US v McDavid/Canada

Memorial Cup Finals play in tonight
London v Moncton

London a who’s who of NHL guys playing in NHL as soon as next season v Caleb Desnoyers my choice if he gets to 7 for Bruins

Sunday
The winner plays a monster Medicine Hat team that has a star-studded cast and the 2026 likely #1 pick

 

[Samsonov]

I don't understand the obsession with Howard who finally did well in his third college season,.

Well to start, you're acquiring a player who would be legitimately competing for an NHL spot. He would bring serious speed and skill to a lineup drooling for the need of speed and skill.

He'd be coming at a discount as TBL has zero leverage in this scenario. So you're acquiring said talent for a reduced rate.

I think you're discrediting what he did this year, on top of his college career on a whole. 26G/52P in 37 games this season (1.4 PPG). He was a PPG before this season (sophomore). He had a modest freshman season of 17P/35GP -- as do many freshman in college hockey. 40G-105P/108GP (0.97 PPG)

Won a gold medal with USA U20-WJC this year; scoring 7G/9P in 7 games.

Why wouldn't you be obsessed with the prospects of acquiring a cheap NHL ready talent if the price is discounted? He wouldn't be an offesnive savior, but getting a guy who can come in and play now and also grow to be more would be welcomed for a team not trying to waste the prime of David Pastrnak.

This is a no-brainer.

 

[Bruins78]

Hagens freshman stats (37 points in 37 games) pale in comparison to some familiar names.

Eichel 71 points in 40GP
Fantilli 65 points in 36GP
Celebrini 64 points in 38GP

Freshman year points aren’t the only determining factor but it suggests to me he may not be near the level of the above players.

Little bit of an unfair comparison as those 3 were all very well filled out and physically ready for college hockey. Of course, Hagens will face an ever rougher transition to the NHL game. Other side of the coin would be that Hagens probably ad the strongest WJC-18 out of all of them against his immediate peers. Should have a better idea with him driving the boat this year and probably a little stronger/ready to compete shift to shift. I look at it like he's going to have similar issues at the NHL level but will he be like Jack Hughes and figure out how to make their immense talent work or more like Zegras and be an occasional highlight that doesn't have much value 5 v 5, shift to shift, getting out of their comfort zone...a player that is worth having for their controlled years but that maybe you don't want to pay going rate for after those first 5 years due to their limitations and playoff viability.

 

[Oates2Neely]

Little bit of an unfair comparison as those 3 were all very well filled out and physically ready for college hockey. Of course, Hagens will face an ever rougher transition to the NHL game. Other side of the coin would be that Hagens probably ad the strongest WJC-18 out of all of them against his immediate peers. Should have a better idea with him driving the boat this year and probably a little stronger/ready to compete shift to shift. I look at it like he's going to have similar issues at the NHL level but will he be like Jack Hughes and figure out how to make their immense talent work or more like Zegras and be an occasional highlight that doesn't have much value 5 v 5, shift to shift, getting out of their comfort zone...a player that is worth having for their controlled years but that maybe you don't want to pay going rate for after those first 5 years due to their limitations and playoff viability.

I’d be disappointed if Sweeney drafts Hagens at 7 only to have him be another Zegras. Have to aim higher

 

[LJReborn]

Well to start, you're acquiring a player who would be legitimately competing for an NHL spot. He would bring serious speed and skill to a lineup drooling for the need of speed and skill.

He'd be coming at a discount as TBL has zero leverage in this scenario. So you're acquiring said talent for a reduced rate.

I think you're discrediting what he did this year, on top of his college career on a whole. 26G/52P in 37 games this season (1.4 PPG). He was a PPG before this season (sophomore). He had a modest freshman season of 17P/35GP -- as do many freshman in college hockey. 40G-105P/108GP (0.97 PPG)

Won a gold medal with USA U20-WJC this year; scoring 7G/9P in 7 games.

Why wouldn't you be obsessed with the prospects of acquiring a cheap NHL ready talent if the price is discounted? He wouldn't be an offesnive savior, but getting a guy who can come in and play now and also grow to be more would be welcomed for a team not trying to waste the prime of David Pastrnak.

This is a no-brainer.

or maybe trade the 1 for a guy who is already playing now in the NHL? You also don't give up that Toronto 1, the wheels could fall off there. 2 and a prospect? That I would prob do

 

[BlackFrancis]

I’d be disappointed if Sweeney drafts Hagens at 7 only to have him be another Zegras. Have to aim higher

Zegras was a top notch prospect before he reached legal drinking age.

Sometimes they get hurt. Sometimes they just fart out. Not all NHL careers follow a linear progression.

I wouldn't want Zegras now, but he was pretty shiny way back when, especially for a 9th overall pick.