F James Hagens - Boston College, NCAA (2025 Draft) Part 2

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Rather than using using the Team Canada Selection Committee not selecting Misa as an indictment - maybe that's more on that idiot committee than on Misa.

And using your opinion that the USHL is better than the OHL - that's just like your opinion man ...

But seriously - my question was meant for you to describe why you think Hagens is better - things like skating, vision, IQ, puck handling, shooting, physicality, defense, etc.

Okay to start off, nowhere in my post did I claim the USHL is better than the OHL. You might want to re-read what I said. I said it was a similar level league. If I wanted to say it was better, I could've very easily have said that. In fact, I have said many times I think it's worse.

You didn't ask me about who is better. You asked me who has had the better season. As for who does what better, I think Hagens is smarter and has more playmaking ability. I think Misa is like an inch and a half taller and has a better shot. Why is Hagens better? Well, he seems to just produce better in general from year to year and international tournament to international tournament (not every single time, but most). His strengths are likely just stronger and have more of an impact. I don't see anything about Misa that looks potentially elite in the NHL. I don't see Misa as a player that is certain to stick at center, which could decrease his value. I think Misa has real questions about why he was worse in his second season than first. I think Hagens will be one of the best playmaking forwards in the NHL.

And why all of a sudden do all the players who couldn't make the terrible Canadian world junior team this year get extra credit? I don't see how it's a good thing. Schaefer made it. Martone made it. Wasn't an "anti-young players" thing. Maybe if Misa had actually played up to par last year he would've had a better chance to make it this year.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Ok, I won’t try to interpret what the original poster meant by "light the world on fire", but I guess the overarching theme I was trying démonstrate is, even when it comes to Slafkovksy, Power, or Hischier, the consensus opinion around them has increased or become more positive in their draft year. None of them were record breaking, yes, but none of them were d-1 world beaters whose opinions and consensus decreased in their DY.

Actually, I don't think the consensus on Power was any higher from the start of the year to the end of the year. It was pretty much in the exact same place. He went in as the favorite and had a decent year (without being amazing). Sounds like Hagens year.

If someone's opinion of Hagens has decreased, maybe they need to reevaluate their opinion. Nothing about his season is bad. Is there a higher level he could've played at? Sure, I guess he could've been the Hobey Baker favorite and won WJC MVP. But bad? Causing concern? I don't know how someone could review the year he's had so far and been like "there are major red flags and he's not doing well."

 

[HuGort]

I'm still not seeing 1OA when I watch Hagens.

7 goals? No way he goes #1

 

[Kingpin794]

I think Hagens is smarter and has more playmaking ability. I think Misa is like an inch and a half taller and has a better shot. His strengths are likely just stronger and have more of an impact. I don't see anything about Misa that looks potentially elite in the NHL. I don't see Misa as a player that is certain to stick at center, which could decrease his value.

Well it took forever, but you finally made a decent enough analysis on the actual play of these two players instead of talking about stats and pedigree. I can at least respect this take. I agree Hagens has the better play making ability. You don't have to answer this if you don't want to, I don't want to derail the Hagens thread, but why don't you think Misa will stick at center? He has the requisite size. Has the IQ and is solid defensively. Seems comfortable letting the play flow through him. Just overall looks more comfortable at center as opposed to wing.

I think Misa has real questions about why he was worse in his second season than first.

This has been explained multiple times. He was playing injured the majority of the second half of the season. Amazing what happens when you're healthy.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

You don't have to answer this if you don't want to, I don't want to derail the Hagens thread, but why don't you think Misa will stick at center? He has the requisite size. Has the IQ and is solid defensively. Seems comfortable letting the play flow through him. Just overall looks more comfortable at center as opposed to wing.

I didn’t say I think Misa won’t stick at center. I said I think there’s a chance he might not. Misa is more of a goal scorer by nature. I don’t want to call him dumb, but I don’t think he’s that cerebral either. Goal scoring forwards often are wingers. That’s because they usually need the puck delivered to them by others and they need to move off a puck distributing center. Center is usually viewed as the position for the distributor. Not always, but that’s usually the typical tropes for a center and winger. And when we’re talking about a player who has moved back and forth between the two positions, winger may just fit better. Other than this season, winger has looked like the better fit to me for Misa.

 

[Favin]

Scoring rates haven't been there for potential #1oa. Some comparisons for other guys through first 26 games of freshman season below. Hagens does do other things...but he's gotta pick it up offensively to hold #1 spot.

Name: ppg (GP-G-A-PTS)

Fantilli: 1.85 (26-19-29-48)
Eichel: 1.77 (26-16-30-46)
Celebrini: 1.62 (26-23-19-42)
Smith: 1.54 (26-15-25-40)
Keller: 1.46 (26-19-19-38)
Cooley: 1.31 (26-13-21-34)
Hagens: 1.12 (26-7-22-29)
Coronato: 0.88 (26-12-11-23)

(not all same conference or year...so not always apples-to-apples)

 

[frontsfan67]

Scoring rates haven't been there for potential #1oa. Some comparisons for other guys through first 26 games of freshman season below. Hagens does do other things...but he's gotta pick it up offensively to hold #1 spot.

Name: ppg (GP-G-A-PTS)

Fantilli: 1.85 (26-19-29-48)
Eichel: 1.77 (26-16-30-46)
Celebrini: 1.62 (26-23-19-42)
Smith: 1.54 (26-15-25-40)
Keller: 1.46 (26-19-19-38)
Cooley: 1.31 (26-13-21-34)
Hagens: 1.12 (26-7-22-29)
Coronato: 0.88 (26-12-11-23)

(not all same conference or year...so not always apples-to-apples)

Definitely not in the #1 spot right now. If he tears it up and gets up to like 1.5 or 1.6 the rest of the season with Schaefer being out until mid-late March I could see Hagens re taking that #1 spot.

If his production falls off from what it is currently at gotta think he may go 4 with how good the 3 OHL guys are doing. Celebrini is fairly similar to Hagens in the aspect of both play offence and defence, both are high IQ guys etc but Celebrini had a 1.62 ppg which is FAR BETTER than Hagens’ at 1.12 and Celebrini played last year so nothings changed in the mean time no big rule changes or any of that such as making goalies pads bigger etc

 

[Mathieukferland]

Celebrini is fairly similar to Hagens in the aspect of both play offence and defence, both are high IQ guys etc but Celebrini had a 1.62 ppg which is FAR BETTER than Hagens’ at 1.12 and Celebrini played last year so nothings changed in the mean time

Celebrini was playing his 17 year old season in NCAA as well, Hagens is playing his 18 year old year this year. They’re both 06s with a relatively small age gap.



An aside, but is anyone using this website on their mobile phone being bombarded with adverts for erectile dysfunction medication that takes up half the screen and can’t be closed? Very annoying

 

[frontsfan67]

Celebrini was playing his 17 year old season in NCAA as well, Hagens is playing his 18 year old year this year. They’re both 06s with a relatively small age gap.

Agree

An aside, but is anyone using this website on their mobile phone being bombarded with adverts for erectile dysfunction medication that takes up half the screen and can’t be closed? Very annoying

They trying to tell you something? Oh no.

Just kidding- use an ad blocker (hope I don’t get banned for suggesting this) I use AdBlock Pro on the Apple App Store it’s free and works like a charm

 

[HawksDub89]

Okay to start off, nowhere in my post did I claim the USHL is better than the OHL. You might want to re-read what I said. I said it was a similar level league. If I wanted to say it was better, I could've very easily have said that. In fact, I have said many times I think it's worse.

You didn't ask me about who is better. You asked me who has had the better season. As for who does what better, I think Hagens is smarter and has more playmaking ability. I think Misa is like an inch and a half taller and has a better shot. Why is Hagens better? Well, he seems to just produce better in general from year to year and international tournament to international tournament (not every single time, but most). His strengths are likely just stronger and have more of an impact. I don't see anything about Misa that looks potentially elite in the NHL. I don't see Misa as a player that is certain to stick at center, which could decrease his value. I think Misa has real questions about why he was worse in his second season than first. I think Hagens will be one of the best playmaking forwards in the NHL.

And why all of a sudden do all the players who couldn't make the terrible Canadian world junior team this year get extra credit? I don't see how it's a good thing. Schaefer made it. Martone made it. Wasn't an "anti-young players" thing. Maybe if Misa had actually played up to par last year he would've had a better chance to make it this year.

Christ, he asked such a simple question and you rambled for like three paragraphs without really answering it lol.

 

[seafoam]

Please end up with the Islanders somehow.

 

[Dempsey]

An aside, but is anyone using this website on their mobile phone being bombarded with adverts for erectile dysfunction medication that takes up half the screen and can’t be closed? Very annoying

I used an Adblocker on here for years but it still made browsing the site a pain. Then I paid the $12 or whatever it is to get rid of the ads altogether. My god, it’s like being able to breathe again. Totally recommended.

 

[montreal]

Hagens Rush/Shot 0:11
Hagens What a Pass 1:39
Hagens Rush/Shot 6:52
Hagens Shot 8:27

 

[Mathieukferland]

I used an Adblocker on here for years but it still made browsing the site a pain. Then I paid the $12 or whatever it is to get rid of the ads altogether. My god, it’s like being able to breathe again. Totally recommended.

Link? Thank you

 

[Dempsey]

Link? Thank you

It'll be in your account settings somewhere. Look for where to become a sponsor. It wasn't as easy to find as you'd think it would be. Totally, totally worth it though (for me anyway, considering how much time I spend here). Once the ads were gone it was so much better.

 

[frontsfan67]

Link? Thank you

Don’t pay for it. Just use AdBlock Pro on App Store for free and it works perfect I never get ads on my phone anymore

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Definitely not in the #1 spot right now. If he tears it up and gets up to like 1.5 or 1.6 the rest of the season with Schaefer being out until mid-late March I could see Hagens re taking that #1 spot.

If his production falls off from what it is currently at gotta think he may go 4 with how good the 3 OHL guys are doing. Celebrini is fairly similar to Hagens in the aspect of both play offence and defence, both are high IQ guys etc but Celebrini had a 1.62 ppg which is FAR BETTER than Hagens’ at 1.12 and Celebrini played last year so nothings changed in the mean time no big rule changes or any of that such as making goalies pads bigger etc

He literally said it's not apples to apples. And instead of separating out the DY and the DY+1 players, you dishonestly tried to act as if he was saying something he wasn't. Hagens should not be compared with players who were in their DY+1 for stats. Simple as that.

And there's no "player X or Y needs to hit this threshold" for scoring to get drafted in a specific slot. There's more to the draft than NHLe, and there's this thing called comparing a player relative to their competition.

Christ, he asked such a simple question and you rambled for like three paragraphs without really answering it lol.

Sorry if you struggle with reading comprehension and three paragraphs is too much for you. I most definitely answered the question.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Canada must have snuck a future cool or cleaner into Hagens' jersey tonight. Tough game.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

Canada must have snuck a future cool or cleaner into Hagens' jersey tonight. Tough game.

 

[Breakers]

Willander dummied this guy with a forearm while he was trying to showboat

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Canada must have snuck a future cool or cleaner into Hagens' jersey tonight. Tough game.

Funny how you never show up for his good games. Or you claim it was against the wrong team.

I find it really sad and pathetic all these people who claim they have nothing against Hagens that each time he has a quiet game, which happens to literally every player in the world, they are out in full voice claiming there's something wrong with him.

And they're quiet about how Misa literally went backwards from his first year to second year and has never outperformed Hagens anywhere, how Martone routinely gets lapped by Hagens at international tournaments, how Schaefer played nothing like a top 5 pick last year (an actual disappointing year, not whatever some of you claim Hagens is having) and apparently doesn't need to play more than 17 games this year to be a unanimous first pick.

The only player I see that gets torn down is the best player in the draft. When Hagens, as he has for two prior years, shows himself in the NHL to be better than Misa, Martone, and Schaefer, all of you will be reminded about where you stood and your anti-Hagens rhetoric.

 

[Kingpin794]

Funny how you never show up for his good games. Or you claim it was against the wrong team.

I find it really sad and pathetic all these people who claim they have nothing against Hagens that each time he has a quiet game, which happens to literally every player in the world, they are out in full voice claiming there's something wrong with him.

And they're quiet about how Misa literally went backwards from his first year to second year and has never outperformed Hagens anywhere, how Martone routinely gets lapped by Hagens at international tournaments, how Schaefer played nothing like a top 5 pick last year (an actual disappointing year, not whatever some of you claim Hagens is having) and apparently doesn't need to play more than 17 games this year to be a unanimous first pick.

The only player I see that gets torn down is the best player in the draft. When Hagens, as he has for two prior years, shows himself in the NHL to be better than Misa, Martone, and Schaefer, all of you will be reminded about where you stood and your anti-Hagens rhetoric.

I just want to do a quick thought experiment. And this is going to be a VERY extreme example to illustrate my point so don't get too caught up in the minutia:

Player A has 300 pts in 23/24. Then has 0 in 24/25.
Player B has 0 pts in 23/24. Then has 300 in 24/25.

Which player would you expect to have better odds of being selected first?

If you say player B, then you understand that selecting a player in the draft is not about what a player has done a year or 2 years in the past. Its about project out what a player will in 5, 10 years. Some guys can peak or have limited room for growth by the time they hit their draft year. Others can have exponential growth during their draft year.

If you say player A, then you're doing exactly what you accuse the Canadian media of doing. Just anointing a player as better just because you say so or because of fallacious reasoning.

Just wanted to throw that out there.