Boston’s training camp has already put James Hagens in a spot that tells you plenty about where the Bruins are right now: the 19-year-old top prospect is starting his first full season of pro hockey on one of the youngest lines in the NHL.
Instead of being eased in beside a more established name like Pavel Zacha or a heavier presence such as Tanner Jeannot, Hagens has opened camp between Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov. The three forwards carry an average age of just 21.6 years old, and Marco Sturm is betting that youth can bring its own kind of edge.
“I don’t mind putting young kids together, because they should bring a lot of energy,” Sturm noted. “They’re smart enough.
… Why not? I think this is the time.
That’s why preseason is the time to try out a few things.”
That line isn’t just young for the sake of being young. Boston saw real value from both Minten and Khusnutdinov during its 2025-26 campaign, when each grew from prospect into a regular piece of the forward group. Sturm used them as versatile, multi-use options, and when they played together, the results were strong.
In 326 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time last season, Minten and Khusnutdinov were on the ice for an 18-9 edge in Boston’s favor.
“I do believe it always helps, age-wise, when at least two [linemates] are kind of younger - because you don’t feel the pressure of maybe a veteran or some other players,” Sturm said of pairing up unseasoned skaters.
Hagens could be the piece that gives that combination another gear. Through two practices, his speed has already stood out, especially when he’s carrying the puck through the neutral zone and pushing play into dangerous areas off the rush. Minten and Khusnutdinov bring different tools that fit around him: Khusnutdinov’s skating helps create pressure on the forecheck and win pucks back, while Minten’s poise and two-way game give the line structure.
Hagens was quick to praise Minten’s game.
“He’s a $50 million man for a reason,” Hagens said of Minten. “Everything he does is outstanding.
… You can learn from him. He’s so smart, and he just plays the right way.”
For a Bruins team in the middle of a retool, the growth of Hagens, Minten, and Khusnutdinov matters. If Boston is going to make another move forward in 2026-27, getting those three on the same trajectory would go a long way. Even better if they can do it together, on the same line.
“It’s a lot of fun being able to be out there with them,” Hagens said of skating alongside Minten and Khusnutdinov. “Everything you do, you just have to make sure you have your stick on the ice - you never know when you’re going to get it.”
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