The Boston College freshman centre is the near-unanimous choice for No. 1 on Bob McKenzie's annual Pre-Season Ranking for the 2025 draft.
It belongs to American James Hagens, a 5-foot-11, 176-pound Boston College freshman centre who put up some gaudy offensive numbers last season while playing for the U.S. National Development Team Program U-18 squad.
In other words, while Hagens could very well play his way to first overall status in June of 2025, it’s far too early to label this the James Hagens Draft in the same manner we did in each of the past two years withand Macklin Celebrini, both of whom were expected to go wire to wire as No. 1 and did not disappoint.
“It’s a projection, obviously,” said a scout who noted that Hagens’ body of work to this point is clearly superior to McQueen’s, “but is a 6-foot-5 right-shot centre with speed and skill who ticks all the boxes to be a No. 1 NHL centre.” If Hagens were to be taken first overall this year, it would be the first time in the history of the draft that U.S. college players went back to back at No. 1 overall. Celebrini, of course, was taken out of Boston University by San Jose last June. If Hagens goes No. 1, it will be a Boston College Eagle getting the nod.
“I have a feeling will be a really difficult guy for some teams to pass on at No. 1,” said one scout of the 6-foot-1 3/4, 183 pound native of Stoney Creek, Ont., who was the first-overall pick in the 2022 OHL draft to Erie.“That’s his floor,” said a scout. “He might be a true No. 1 NHL defenceman, but a top pair projection for sure. He can do it all. He makes things happen offensively. He can run a power play. He can kill penalties. He’s dependable five on five with and without the puck.
Like Schaefer, Frondell starts this season on the sidelines. He suffered a knee injury that required a procedure but it’s not, at this point, anticipated to affect his draft status. “High-end skills, skates really well, good size and strength – just your really good, all-around Russian centre,” one scout said.
8. Erie Otter pro-style 6-foot-1, 203-pound winger Malcolm Spence, who is also a late 2006 born prospect. Spence plays a gritty two-way game. He had two Top 5 votes, but the rest of his support was in the Nos. 7 to 16 range.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NHL news, NHL results, NHL standings, NHL scores, NHL teams, NHL schedule, NHL stats, NHL updates, NHL analysis, NHL highlights, NHL players, NHL events, NHL coverage, NHL articles, NHL season, NHL videos, NHL games, NHL live scores
Read more »
NHL news, NHL results, NHL standings, NHL scores, NHL teams, NHL schedule, NHL stats, NHL updates, NHL analysis, NHL highlights, NHL players, NHL events, NHL coverage, NHL articles, NHL season, NHL videos, NHL games, NHL live scores
Read more »
NHL news, NHL results, NHL standings, NHL scores, NHL teams, NHL schedule, NHL stats, NHL updates, NHL analysis, NHL highlights, NHL players, NHL events, NHL coverage, NHL articles, NHL season, NHL videos, NHL games, NHL live scores
Read more »
NHL news, NHL results, NHL standings, NHL scores, NHL teams, NHL schedule, NHL stats, NHL updates, NHL analysis, NHL highlights, NHL players, NHL events, NHL coverage, NHL articles, NHL season, NHL videos, NHL games, NHL live scores
Read more »
U.S. men's soccer to play exhibition against Mexico on Oct. 15 at GuadalajaraNHL news, NHL results, NHL standings, NHL scores, NHL teams, NHL schedule, NHL stats, NHL updates, NHL analysis, NHL highlights, NHL players, NHL events, NHL coverage, NHL articles, NHL season, NHL videos, NHL games, NHL live scores
Read more »
NHL news, NHL results, NHL standings, NHL scores, NHL teams, NHL schedule, NHL stats, NHL updates, NHL analysis, NHL highlights, NHL players, NHL events, NHL coverage, NHL articles, NHL season, NHL videos, NHL games, NHL live scores
Read more »