The Boston Bruins have taken an intriguing step by signing James Hagens to an Amateur Tryout Agreement. This move likely signals the end of his tenure with Boston College, despite some chatter about whether the evolving NIL landscape might offer him a path back if an NHL contract isn't in the cards yet. For now, there are no plans for Hagens to jump into action with the Bruins this season or spend time in the AHL, but that situation remains fluid, as noted by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Friedman pointed out an interesting strategic angle: “There’s speculation about whether the Bruins are avoiding burning the first year of his contract, which could extend his entry-level deal. While only Boston can confirm, some clubs aren’t worried about this because it might actually work in their favor during negotiations if a player’s early stats don’t skyrocket. If Hagens performs as expected, this won’t be a concern, but it’s a strategy some teams consider.”
The Bruins’ decision-making process will likely depend on their performance as the season progresses. Their powerplay has struggled lately, and Hagens could potentially offer a boost in that department. However, with Lukas Reichel, a recent trade acquisition, performing well on the third-line left wing-where Hagens would likely fit-General Manager Don Sweeney is not in a hurry to make changes.
Should the Bruins make it to the postseason, we might see Hagens join the team during their playoff run. This approach mirrors the successful strategy employed when Charlie McAvoy signed straight out of Boston University, which paid dividends for the organization.