James Hagens, the highly rated center from Boston College, may just be the spark that ignites major movement in the 2025 NHL Draft. With the first-round set for June 27 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, teams are reportedly already strategizing to secure top talent, especially if Hagens slides past the third pick.
Hagens tallied 11 goals and 26 assists, with a plus-21 rating, in 37 games last season as a freshman at Boston College. He’s predicted to be one of the first prospects off the board.
James Hagens’ Potential Slide Shakes Up 2025 NHL Draft Class
Scouts and insiders suggest that if Hagens is still available by the fourth or fifth selection, teams could aggressively pursue trade opportunities to move up. The Utah Mammoth, who currently hold the No. 4 pick, is believed to be open to trading its spot for the right offer.
Hagens has already interviewed with 16 teams, which ESPN’s Rachel Doerrie called a “wide range for a player expected to go very early.” The Mammoths also met with prospects Jake O’Brien and Brady Martin, adding further intrigue to what could be a very active draft night.
One team generating buzz is the New York Islanders. While most expect them to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer first overall, some insiders claim that if Hagens is available at No. 4, the Islanders might offer a package of early-round picks to move up again.
Top NHL draft prospect James Hagens dreams of winning the Stanley Cup with his hometown Islanders pic.twitter.com/pBXGtqRp9l
— Game Notes (@GameNotesBud) June 6, 2025
Hagens, a Long Island native, has openly stated his dream of winning a Stanley Cup with the Islanders, further fueling speculation. During the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, Hagens shared dinner with the Islanders and detailed that experience in a personal essay written for NHL.com.
“I was asked to speak about my meeting with the Islanders, since I did grow up an Islanders fan. I met with them on Wednesday, and I also went out to dinner with the team,” Hagens said. “(General manager) Mathieu Darche is an amazing human being and was so easy to talk to. It was easy to connect with them and just have a natural good conversation. Dinner was awesome. I’m not too sure where we went, but it was great food, great conversation.”
The situation echoes past years when draft-day decisions sparked debate for seasons to come. If Hagens does fall outside the top three, his availability could lead to a flurry of phone calls, and possibly, one of the first big trades of the night.
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The 2025 NHL Draft class is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent years. While Schaefer remains the consensus No. 1-ranked North American skater, Hagens is close behind and viewed as a potential franchise-changing center.
The Islanders’ win in the draft lottery, despite having only a 3.5% chance, has added even more drama to the upcoming event. Darche — hired as general manager of the Islanders on May 23, 2025 — is reportedly weighing positional need against overall talent.
With the Islanders thin on elite defense prospects, Schaefer makes logical sense. Yet, the emotional pull of drafting hometown favorite Hagens remains a compelling storyline.
Hagens’ impressive freshman season at Boston College, 37 points in 37 games, has scouts praising his skating, vision, and offensive creativity.
James Hagens. 3-point game. Monster performance. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ehtfRHeEqN
— Nathan “Grav” Murdock (@NathanGraviteh) December 26, 2024
He’s also drawn comparisons to top-tier NHL centers, and his emotional connection to Long Island gives him clear marketing value. Holding the No. 6 pick, the Philadelphia Flyers also emerge as a possible destination for Hagens if he’s still on the board. The Flyers have been vocal about their need for a dynamic center and have met with Hagens.
If history is any guide, the decision at the top of this year’s NHL draft class won’t just influence the first few picks; it may reshape the league’s balance for years. And if Hagens starts to slip, expect the phones to light up across front offices.
