DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Tag: 2025 NHL Draft

  • Post Draft Prospect Review: James Hagens (BOS | 7th OVR 2025)

    The Boston Bruins 2025 7th Overall pick is set to play his first full season in the NHL. He made his debut last season on April 12th and ended his 2025-26 year with 5 games for the Bruins, and recorded his first career point. Throughout the offseason, Hagens made Boston home base after the World Championships wrapped up; he spent his summer at the Warrior Ice Arena, sharpening his skills, building strength and adapting to the NHL’s pace. Despite some mixed criticism, James Hagens was added to the Prospect Showcase roster, as it was seen as pointless by some and an opportunity to make a statement by others; he would indeed make a statement. He dominated with 6 Goals in just two games, with 4 of them coming in one game. The projected lineup for the Boston Bruins has James Hagens on the 3rd line, with recently extended Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov. The “cub line” has skated and practiced together throughout training camp and preseason, and has impressed so far. Bruins coach Marco Sturm said, “When he came last year, I felt like he was just a little kid. He’s still a kid, he looks like it in the face, but on the ice, it just feels a little bit different.” I expect him to start on the 3rd line and, near the halfway point, potentially sooner, move up to the top 6, I believe he is already there, but Boston is notorious for their patient, careful deployment with prospects in their system.

    Just a few years ago, James Hagens was considered by many, to be the clear 1st Overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, even with the buzzword “generational” thrown around loosely. At 15 Years old, Hagens made his USHL debut and ended that season with 17G and 40P in 31GP, that is what initially sparked such high expectations. The next season, he would officially separate himself from everyone else, putting up a remarkable 39G and 102P for the US National U18 Team, and did not only perform their, but also scored 18G and 47P in the USHL. Going into his first NCAA season with the Boston College Eagles, playing on the 1st line with Washington Capitals prospect Ryan Leonard, along with Gabe Perreault, the New York Rangers 23rd overall pick, the expectation was massive. As the season began and went on, his PPG pace was considered disappointing; as good as that is, he was not meeting those 1st overall expectations, which caused him to begin slipping down the rankings. He finished his draft-eligible season with 11G and 37P in 37GP. Even with a very
    strong showing at the World Juniors, it wasn’t enough, as he fell to the Boston Bruins at 7th overall. Although he did slip and have critiques about being a top-3 pick, falling to 7th was surprising to see, and Bruins fans were ecstatic about the selection.

    Last season, he returned to the NCAA for his second year with Boston College. With the loss of many huge pieces of the team, Hagens was the new leader and the guy they turned to for a big portion of their offence. Despite the team’s struggles, James Hagens dominated. While maintaining his elite vision and playmaking ability, he added a new dangerous element to his game: his shot, scoring 23 Goals in 37 games, along with 24 assists and 47 total points. I am extremely high on James Hagens; the amount of pure skill and natural talent is incredible. His skating ability is so unique, and his vision is almost second to none. I think he can be a 90P+ player for the Boston Bruins, and I cannot wait to watch his NHL journey.

  • Next-Level Defense: How Matthew Schaefer Is Rewriting the Role of a Blueliner

    Matthew Schaefer: The Future of NHL Blue Lines

    Matthew Schaefer is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting prospects heading into the 2025 NHL Draft. At 6’2″ and 175 pounds, he combines elite skating, high-end hockey IQ, and a complete two-way game that sets him apart from virtually every defenseman in his class. Ten out of ten scouts have him pegged as the projected No. 1 overall pick, and seven of those scouts believe the gap between Schaefer and the next tier—names like James Hagens, Michael Misa, and Porter Martone—is substantial.

    His trajectory this season has been electric. With 22 points in just 17 OHL games, he’s crushed last year’s totals, where he recorded 17 points in 56 games. His goal count has more than doubled—from 3 to 7 in a fraction of the games. And while a broken collarbone at the U20 World Juniors will sideline him for around three months, it has done nothing to diminish his stock. If anything, it only magnified his resilience.

    I had the privilege of speaking with Matthew for about 20 minutes, and in that time, it became abundantly clear that his maturity and mindset are just as elite as his on-ice play. When I asked him who his NHL comparison would be, he answered without hesitation: “It would probably be Cale Makar, that’s pretty easy. He is a great skater, really good hockey IQ, so I like to watch bits and parts of his game and try to put it in my game.”

    But what struck me even more came when I asked what the biggest lesson he’s learned during his recovery process was. He responded, “I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is when you lose someone you love you don’t really expect it and life can throw so much stuff at you. I am just happy to be here everyday… after I lost my mom it made me look at life so much differently.” That kind of perspective, from a 17-year-old, tells you everything you need to know about his character.

    On the ice, Schaefer’s skating defines his game. His stride is powerful, fluid, and efficient, letting him close gaps in the defensive zone or lead rushes up the ice. His edgework is elite—smooth pivots, agile turns, and the ability to evade pressure with ease make him a nightmare for forecheckers. This blend of speed and balance makes him dominant in transition.

    Offensively, he’s a weapon. Schaefer thinks the game at a high level, processes plays in real-time, and delivers pinpoint passes whether he’s springing a forward on a breakaway or navigating a tight power play setup. At the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he showcased his dynamic skill set, dancing through defenders before setting up a crucial goal. He also owns a heavy, accurate shot that he’s not afraid to unleash from the point or in transition.

    Defensively, Schaefer is as responsible as they come. He maintains strong positioning, closes gaps quickly, and uses his frame effectively to protect the front of the net. He blocks shots with conviction—a skill he credits to his older brother Johnny—and shows the kind of poise that usually belongs to veteran defensemen. He rarely overcommits, plays with a calm intensity, and brings a steadying presence in high-pressure moments.

    Physically, there’s still room to grow. But even now, Schaefer holds his own in puck battles, isn’t shy about contact, and knows when to deliver a timely hit. As he continues to add muscle, he’s going to become an even bigger problem for opposing forwards.

    When I asked him how he sees the role of a top-tier defenseman evolving, he said, “It could be a Cale Makar role or someone who shuts down… you’re gonna need your top line, hopefully if they are more offensive to create points and be able to shutdown, but I think you’re gonna have your top line that can do both then your second line is gonna be the shutdown line for sure.”

    On the topic of his own game, Schaefer said, “I want to be a two-way defenseman, I want to be known to go out on the PK, block shots, and save the lead… Whether it’s with a minute left to protect a lead or gain one, I want to be out there. I want to be a big two-way defenseman that’s not afraid to block shots, score goals, make big hits, make big plays. Just want to be an all-around player.”

    And that’s exactly what he is.

    Matthew Schaefer is the full package: a franchise-caliber defenseman who can lead a blue line, quarterback a power play, shut down opposing stars, and step up in the biggest moments. His elite skill, unmatched poise, and high character make him not only the safest pick in the draft—but potentially the most impactful one. Any team that lands Schaefer in 2025 isn’t just getting a top-pairing D-man. They’re getting a cornerstone for the next decade and beyond.