Lame Lambert
Fire Lou
- Mar 5, 2015
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I think it’s implied that Hagens would come with a new GM because Lou would trade the 1OA pick for Seth Jones
Roster/Rumors/Speculation/Trade Talk - 2024-25: Re-Tool, Re-Group, Re-Mix, Re-Build
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Torrey Redux
Please!
You're right of course, but I don't care about invigorating the fan base. Invigorate the team and the fan base will follow. And, again, I am not in any way against Hagens as the pick, I am against the notion that his local ties should be a factor. Letting that kind of emotional element into the process is the wrong way to approach it.
miscs75
Registered User
- Jul 2, 2014
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Looking at their cap situation, they’re another team like the Mild with no veterans on expiring deals to send our way if they want to play the salary dump game.
Torrey Redux
Please!
You're right. I got focused on the first sentence, read through it too fast and interpreted the rest backwards.
Lame Lambert
Fire Lou
- Mar 5, 2015
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Hagens is the consensus #1 pick so I have no clue what you’re talking about. Yes, he could bust just like any other pick, but I’ll take that over whatever the hell it is that we’re doing now.
I’d love Hagens, but I would also be very happy with Martone, Misa, or Schaefer. Along with another 1st from a Nelson trade and hopefully a a first for Palms. Walk out of the draft with a top 4 prospect and 2 other blue chip prospects. The real prize is next years #1 pick. McKenna is filthy.
I wouldn’t hate it, but I would prefer a 1st round pick.
periferal
Registered User
- Jul 5, 2007
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Thanks for that terrifying thought (which in theory is something Lou would do).
periferal
Registered User
- Jul 5, 2007
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Actually Hagens started out concensus #1, but it's not a slam dunk and things have been shifting...
NHL Draft 2025 top prospects: Porter Martone ranks No. 1, James Hagens drops to No. 2
2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Schaefer swipes No. 1 spot in mid-season top 64
And I'd be lying if I didn't say I was concerned about Hagen's size/weight. I think he'd be more of a slam dunk if he was 6'0/190
Great post. Totally agree.
In fact would be awesome to get a 1st in 2026. Aside from the fact that draft looks nice, any 2025 1st we get will be guaranteed to be 20th or later. However if we get a 2026 1st maybe that team has a horrible offseason and/or gets his with injuries and it could be top 12 pick in 2026.
Thrasymachus
Registered User
- Jul 1, 2018
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shhh dont you whisper that into existence
The Real JT
The crowd called out for more
Next victim in my midseason assessment: Palmieri
He will be 34 years old in 2 weeks. I give him credit for last year. He had a productive season which was mainly based on a burst of goals towards the end of the year. But… 10 of those goals were PP goals which won’t be repeated on either the Isles or a team that he is traded to. He was also a team worst in the plus minus category. If you look at his last five seasons, last year’s goal output really looks like an outlier and something that likely won’t be repeated. He’s also making $5 million a year which ain’t cheap. On the plus side, he’s been a solid playoff contributor for the Islanders.
This year he’s trending back to his baseline performance over the last five years. He’s also hit a cold streak, he’s again a team second worst in the plus minus category and of course has a NTC.
While I think he has trade value, I don’t see any way he gets a first rounder. I’d say his ceiling at this point is a second round pick with the Isles retaining some salary.
Regardless of what his value is, he’s a player that should not be re-signed. If that’s the case, and the Isles are not in contention for a playoff spot then he needs to be sold no matter what the return is. The only thing dumber than keeping an asset like this under those circumstances would be to re-sign him next year.
He will be 34 years old in 2 weeks. I give him credit for last year. He had a productive season which was mainly based on a burst of goals towards the end of the year. But… 10 of those goals were PP goals which won’t be repeated on either the Isles or a team that he is traded to. He was also a team worst in the plus minus category. If you look at his last five seasons, last year’s goal output really looks like an outlier and something that likely won’t be repeated. He’s also making $5 million a year which ain’t cheap. On the plus side, he’s been a solid playoff contributor for the Islanders.
This year he’s trending back to his baseline performance over the last five years. He’s also hit a cold streak, he’s again a team second worst in the plus minus category and of course has a NTC.
While I think he has trade value, I don’t see any way he gets a first rounder. I’d say his ceiling at this point is a second round pick with the Isles retaining some salary.
Regardless of what his value is, he’s a player that should not be re-signed. If that’s the case, and the Isles are not in contention for a playoff spot then he needs to be sold no matter what the return is. The only thing dumber than keeping an asset like this under those circumstances would be to re-sign him next year.
We’d all like that, but I don’t see Palmieri returning a first, even at 50% retained
Completely agree - Palmieri, when not scoring, is a liability on the ice, and he is not scoring much this year. If the Isles can get a fourth rounder for him he should still be traded.
YearlyLottery
The Pooch Report
There is no such thing as Hagens or bust. You have to trust the process of doing things correctly. That means:
1.) Trading both Nelson and Palmieri at this point. Anything less after how the season has gone is GM malpractice.
2.) Trading Pageau in the offseason if all reports are true that he is not seen as a negative contract.
3.) Going into the draft to continue restocking the prospect cupboard with 2 first round picks and likely 2 second round picks.
4.) If Hoberg continues to impress buying Varlamov out.
5.) You do NOT need to win the lottery for selling at the deadline to be seen as a major win for the organization.
6.) If Lou does not want to undergo a retool you fire him. I think Lou understands they need to sell judging by how he did not trade the picks last year. Regardless they should likely look into bringing in a potential GM from an organization like Carolina or Winnipeg. Small market teams that don't get many free agents but are successful.
7.) I think you would see a more exciting team next year pretty quickly. Things have gotten stale.
1.) Trading both Nelson and Palmieri at this point. Anything less after how the season has gone is GM malpractice.
2.) Trading Pageau in the offseason if all reports are true that he is not seen as a negative contract.
3.) Going into the draft to continue restocking the prospect cupboard with 2 first round picks and likely 2 second round picks.
4.) If Hoberg continues to impress buying Varlamov out.
5.) You do NOT need to win the lottery for selling at the deadline to be seen as a major win for the organization.
6.) If Lou does not want to undergo a retool you fire him. I think Lou understands they need to sell judging by how he did not trade the picks last year. Regardless they should likely look into bringing in a potential GM from an organization like Carolina or Winnipeg. Small market teams that don't get many free agents but are successful.
7.) I think you would see a more exciting team next year pretty quickly. Things have gotten stale.
I agree, hopefully Palms gets hot and someone overpays. Most likely he’s worth a 2nd round pick.
SI
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- Feb 16, 2013
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Draft rankings are bound to fluctuate throughout the year, but that doesn't diminish James Hagens' status as an elite prospect. Blogs, polls, and articles often chase clicks and engagement, with pundits pushing their narratives to gain traction. Some of these takes, however, seem out of touch.
Take, for instance, the buzz around Schaefer potentially going first overall—despite being injured since December 30th. This article, written on January 16th, ignores that context entirely. It’s baffling. Sure, he’s over a point-per-game in just 17 games this season, but the OHL’s recent scoring trends make those numbers less impressive—especially when prospects are regularly exceeding 1.5 points per game. Schaefer’s production last season was underwhelming, and his WJC performance was a non-factor due to his injury. Meanwhile, Hagens not only centred Team USA’s gold-medal-winning top line but has also led the #2-ranked NCAA team with four points in three games since returning from the WJC.
The Schaefer hype even includes comparisons to Cale Makar, which feels completely unfounded. Schaefer’s value seems artificially inflated.
Meanwhile, Hagens has been quietly driving play in the NCAA as an 18-year-old, despite an initially snakebitten start. The goals are coming now, and his contributions extend far beyond scoring. On top of that, he added a gold medal to his résumé.
As for Michael Misa, his insane OHL production is undeniable, but his omission from Canada’s WJC roster speaks volumes about how his game is perceived at the international level. Coaches didn’t trust him to contribute. Similarly, Porter Martone—a highly productive player in the defensively lax OHL—was a healthy scratch for two games during the tournament after being selected. Bloggers and pundits may push narratives, but Team Canada’s decisions tell another story.
The Hagens vs. McKenna debate is an intriguing one. McKenna’s talent is undeniable, but as a winger, he doesn’t play a premium position. Sure, he could develop into a Kucherov-level player, which would be exceptional, but there’s also the risk of him following the career trajectories of Alex Lafrenière or Taylor Hall. Hagens, on the other hand, plays center, a role every NHL team covets, and he’s thriving in a tougher league than the OHL.
Some of the discourse around Hagens may stem from his Long Island roots, but it’s clear he has all the tools—elite skating, puck possession, and hockey IQ—to be a modern NHL star. San Jose, Chicago, and Nashville are all likely to pick him if he’s available, even at 5'11" and 180 pounds.
Only Schaefer comes close to matching Hagens in terms of skating and puck skills, and while Misa and Martone offer standout shooting and size, respectively, Hagens’ all-around abilities are far better suited for today’s NHL. When it comes to drafting first overall, Hagens is the logical choice.
The Capitals could use him, and their first-round pick might be in play.
New Jersey also stands out as a potential trade partner. They need a top-six forward, and I’d happily take two of their three second-round picks in exchange.
As for Jean-Gabriel Pageau, the Islanders might look to offload him closer to the trade deadline. Given his versatility and playoff experience, he could fetch a decent return, especially from a contender looking to solidify their depth down the middle.
Dream -
Nelson to Dallas for the 2025 1st (likely 22 to 25 or possibly 31 or 32 if they make it to the SC final) and Mavrik Bourque
Pageau to NJ for one of their 2025 2nd pick (likely the 54 - 56 pick) and Tatar for cap reasons
Palmieri to Was for the 2025 1st (likely 28-32)
This would give the Isles 5 picks in the Top 60 of this draft.
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