Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

James Hagens NHL Draft Projection – Overview, Strengths, Weaknesses, and Projection for 2025 NHL Entry Draft

James Hagens could be a top 3 pick at this year's NHL draft

Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

It is nearly time for this year’s NHL draft class to take center stage, as they are just hours away from finding out where they will end up getting drafted. The 2-day event will see nearly 224 youngsters getting selected at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.

Among the several draft prospects eagerly waiting for their name to be called, here we will take a look at the strengths, weaknesses, and draft projection of James Hagens.

James Hagens Overview

Considered as probably the top draft prospect at the 2025 NHL draft for a long time, James Hagens is surely one of the best players in this draft year’s draft class. Born on November 3, 2006, in Hauppauge, New York, Hagen stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs approximately 177 pounds.

The 18-year-old is a left-shot forward who typically plays at the center position. From 2022 to 2024, Hagens played two seasons on the U.S. National Development Team in the United States Hockey League (USHL).

Last season, however, he played for the Boston College Eagles in the NCAA Division 1 college ice hockey program. In 37 games last year, he accumulated 37 points, which include 11 goals and 26 assists. Most of the top scouting agencies have him as the second-best among all North American skaters.

Which franchise will James Hagens change the fortunes of?#NHLDraft https://t.co/LsTjv6COKI pic.twitter.com/0y3riAa7JR
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) June 26, 2025

Also Read: Boston Bruins Trade Rumors – Major Trade Talks Ongoing Between the Bruins and New York Islanders

James Hagens Strengths

Skating is truly one of Hagens’ best attributes on the ice. He has great straight-line speed and knows how to transition very well. But along with that, he also possesses good ability to make sudden cuts and adjustments.

Hagens is typically more of a playmaker, more than a shooter. Having said that, he knows how to wire a puck and has a great shot as well. But, due to his passing nature, his shot is a bit underrated. But coming back to his passing skills, that is his bread and butter. He has a high hockey IQ, enabling him to read the ice very well and make effortless passes. Hagens is also one of the finest puck handlers in the draft. His stick control is top-notch, and it just goes to show his high skills on display.

FRESHMAN JAMES HAGENS WITH THE BIGGEST GOAL OF HIS CAREER TO SECURE THE W IN THE FINAL MINUTES 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lD8eOmR4xt
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 28, 2025

James Hagens Weaknesses

As is the case for most of the top prospects, his main area of improvement will be to keep things simple and not try too much. That is where things go wrong, and he ends up losing the puck. Another aspect that could use some improvement is his lack of strength. Being a little undersized, dealing with physicality is a challenge, so increasing his strength would help him compete better.

James Hagens Draft Projection

As per the various mock drafts and draft projections, Hagens is definitely one of the top contenders to be selected in the top 3 or top 5 of this year’s NHL Draft. Having said that, with the competition being quite stiff, there is a possibility that he may fall out of the top 5, but a top 10 pick is surely on the cards.

2025 NHL Draft

James Hagens

NHL

NHL Draft

Devavrat Kulkarni

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I am a content writer for the NFL team, and joined The Playoffs after working with Sportskeeda and NFL Analysis as an NFL writer. After starting my professional career as a French-to-English translator, working as a content writer is a new adventure for me. I started out in the sports media field for two main reasons: my love for sports in general, especially the NFL, NBA, and Tennis, as well as my passion for writing. The best part of this job is that I get to write a variety of pieces with the freedom to explore content from various angles. It also enables me to stay up to date with the sporting world, which otherwise can be difficult to do in the day-to-day grind. In a world full of chaos, sports unite and entertain like nothing else!