Boston Bruins Set for Regular-Season Finale Against Devils in Playoffs Push The Boston Bruins will host the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday at TD Garden in their final regular-season game before the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The matchup, scheduled for a 7 p.m. puck drop, carries significant weight as Boston, which secured a postseason berth on Saturday, aims to clinch the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Head coach Marco Sturm emphasized the importance of momentum for the team, particularly with a young roster that includes several players making their playoff debuts. “We want to win this game. I think that’s pretty clear for us,” Sturm said. “I do believe you need a little bit of momentum going in to feel good. Especially where we’re at as an organization, as a team. We still have a lot of young kids, we still have guys who have never played a playoff game before, so I think that’s going to be important.” The Bruins’ lineup includes several key players set to make an impact. James Hagens, a 19-year-old forward, will make his TD Garden debut after skating in his first NHL game on Sunday. Hagens contributed an assist in a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Sturm praised his performance, stating, “Nothing changes, that’s what I told him. Nothing changes if you’re on the road or you’re at home. You want to play the same way and have the same attitude. Just focus on your game and try to limit mistakes as much as you can. And enjoy it. I think he did a really good job in Columbus, so hopefully he can do it again tonight.” Hagens is expected to join the third line with Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov. Charlie McAvoy, Pavel Zacha, Viktor Arvidsson, and Hampus Lindholm sat out Sunday to rest, but Sturm hinted at a full lineup for Tuesday.#boston_brains #new_jersey_devils #marco_sturm #james_hagens #pavel_zacha
Marco Sturm Opens Up On Bruins Potentially Adding James Hagens The Boston Bruins may soon add James Hagens to their roster after the conclusion of his college season at Boston College. Hagens was selected seventh overall in the 2025 NHL Draft and returned to Boston College for the year. With his collegiate season now over, there were rumors he could sign with the Bruins, but no official moves have been made yet. Bruins head coach Marco Sturm addressed the possibility of Hagens joining the team during a post-practice interview. When asked about the potential addition, Sturm expressed openness to the idea. “It’s always a challenge for everyone,” he said. “The good thing is with me, over the past, especially in Ontario, I always had college kids coming in. Maybe not (the skill of) Hagens, but they were college kids at the end of the day, they hadn’t played against men. It’s always a challenge, but I’m prepared if it happens.” Hagens, who played for Boston College this past season, finished with 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points in 34 games. His performance earned him a spot among the top 10 candidates for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, an honor given to the nation’s best college hockey player. If signed, Hagens could contribute as a top-six forward, bringing speed and skill to the Bruins’ lineup. Despite Sturm’s openness, no formal agreement has been reached. The Bruins are set to face the Toronto Maple Leafs in a home game on Tuesday, marking their next scheduled contest. More NHL: Analyst Gives Bruins Positive Prediction On Potential James Hagens Impact#boston_bruins #boston_college #marco_sturm #james_hagens #hobey_baker_memorial_award
Bruins Sign James Hagens to AHL Amateur Tryout Agreement Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney confirmed today that the team has signed forward James Hagens to an AHL amateur tryout agreement. The move allows Hagens to join the Providence Bruins for additional development at the professional level while remaining eligible for NHL opportunities. Sweeney expressed enthusiasm about the signing, emphasizing Hagens’ potential as a key part of the organization’s future. Hagens, 19, will participate in the Providence Bruins’ team practice at Amica Mutual Pavilion on March 24. The forward was selected by Boston in the first round, seventh overall, of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. During his collegiate season with Boston College, Hagens played in 34 games, leading Hockey East in scoring with 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points. He also tallied six game-winning goals, two hat tricks, and 133 shots on goal. Recognized for his impact, Hagens was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team after recording 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in the 2024-25 season. Over two seasons with Boston College, he accumulated 34 goals and 50 assists for 84 points in 71 games. Before joining the college team, Hagens spent two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP), where he amassed 72 goals and 115 assists for 187 points—ranking fifth in program history. Hagens has represented the U.S. internationally in multiple tournaments, including the IIHF World Junior Championships (2025, 2026) and the IIHF U-18 Men’s World Championships (2023, 2024). He earned gold medals at the 2025 World Juniors and the 2023 U-18 tournament. In the 2024 U-18 championship, Hagens set the single-tournament scoring record with 22 points, winning MVP honors and helping the U.S. secure silver.#don_sweeney #boston_bruins #providence_bruins #james_hagens #amica_mutual_pavilion
Bruins Coach Discusses Lineup Decisions as Hagens' Pro Deal Lingers James Hagens, the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, remains in limbo as he awaits a decision on his professional contract with the Boston Bruins. The 19-year-old forward, who concluded his sophomore season at Boston College during the Hockey East semifinals, has yet to finalize an agreement with the Bruins. While he could potentially return to Boston College for a junior season, his college career has already provided ample proof of his talent, leaving little incentive to delay his pro transition. Hagens’ 2025-26 season saw him tally 47 points—23 goals and 24 assists—in 34 games, contributing to Boston College’s first Beanpot title since 2016. As a top-10 Hobey Baker Award finalist, his progression has positioned him as a prime candidate for an immediate NHL leap. However, the timing of his entry into professional hockey remains a point of contention. The Bruins face a strategic dilemma: signing Hagens to an entry-level contract (ELC) and having him report directly to the NHL could provide an immediate boost to their forward depth, especially with 12 regular-season games remaining. Alternatively, keeping him in the AHL with the Providence Bruins might allow the team to evaluate his readiness for the NHL while preserving flexibility with his contract. This approach could also delay his first NHL paycheck, potentially impacting his long-term earning potential. The Bruins’ approach may draw parallels to Charlie McAvoy’s path. McAvoy, a former Boston University standout, initially signed an amateur tryout with the Providence Bruins in 2017 before earning his ELC and breaking into the NHL during the playoffs.#boston_bruins #providence_bruins #marco_sturm #james_hagens #hockey_east
No. 17 Eagles Shut Out Maine in Hockey East Quarterfinals The No. 17/16 Boston College men’s hockey team secured a decisive 5-0 victory over Maine in the Hockey East Quarterfinals on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Kelley Rink. The Eagles’ dominance was highlighted by a flawless performance from goaltender Louka Cloutier, who made 18 saves to record his fourth shutout of the season. James Hagens led the scoring effort with three points, including two goals and an assist, extending his career-best point streak to 13 games. The game began with Boston College taking control early, as Teddy Stiga and James Hagens each scored within the first six minutes. Stiga’s goal came after he capitalized on a loose puck dumped into the defensive zone by Luka Radivojevic, which bounced off the boards and allowed Stiga to fire it past the Maine netminder. Just 39 seconds later, Hagens doubled the lead with his 22nd goal of the season. His initial shot was blocked, but the rebound fell directly to him for a top-corner finish. Boston College continued to pressure Maine in the second period, with Oskar Jellvik scoring his second goal of the season late in the third period. The goal followed a turnover in Maine’s defensive zone, where Ryan Conmy’s forecheck led to a pass to Jellvik for a one-timer. The Eagles sealed the win with two empty-net goals from Dean Letourneau and Hagens, ensuring a 5-0 final score. Cloutier’s performance was critical in maintaining the shutout, particularly in the second period, where he made nine key saves. The Eagles’ offensive success was bolstered by strong individual contributions, including 15th assists from Lukas Gustafsson and Luka Radivojevic, and Dean Letourneau’s 20th goal of the season.#boston_college #maine #hockey_east_quarterfinals #louka_cloutier #james_hagens
