why would we draft hagens when there are better prospects? idc if hes from the next town over its about getting the best talent. he isn't that.
Because there aren't necessarily better prospects.
Even Schaefer has a few question marks and has had little opportunity to answer them because he hasn't played since December.
Plenty out there see Misa as a guy whose junior goals and production aren't necessarily going to translate at higher levels (think Dylan Strome).
Martone has done nothing to decrease his draft standing and yet, we still see him moving down a notch here or there with Hagens.
McQueen has hardly played this year and was good but not dominant when he did.
Frondell was out a while, then exploded on the scene for a 2nd league Swedish team only to see his role decrease in the playoffs and now he's been just meh in three U18 WC games, granted, he's got plenty of teammates that score. Where does that have him?
Desnoyers has been a big riser.
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This is the time of year where the players who aren't active start to suffer a bit in all the talk. Others are active and not producing much. They'll bring out some frowns too.
Fact is, Hagens came into this season looking like the Bedard of this draft class. He put up a PPG as a true freshman for a top program that came up short. He also had 9 points in 7 WJC contests and a gold medal as an 18-year-old, which is honestly outstanding.
He's the exact same size as Jack Hughes. That's also basically who he most compares to in expected future role and production.
There's no McDavid in this draft. There's no Makar.
Others look like very nice prospects too.
But there is little reason to think that 3-5 players in this draft are currently better than him - now and in the future.
