The Bruins are heading into a short road stretch with some momentum, and James Hagens is a big reason why. Boston has just two road games this month, and after practice Wednesday morning, the team will board its flight to Pittsburgh for the first one.
Hagens kept building his rookie case in the Bruins’ recent homestand, and the numbers are starting to jump off the page. He has 12 points to lead all NHL rookies, his six goals are tied for the rookie lead, and he’s riding a three-game point streak into the trip.
Marco Sturm said Hagens is already surpassing expectations, especially when you look at the point production, but the coach also made it clear the 20-year-old isn’t being rushed into a larger role. Sturm wants to see cleaner play before handing him more responsibility, and the message is simple: there’s no hurry.
That patience hasn’t stopped Hagens from making an impact in a new spot. In Monday’s 3-2 shootout win over the Vegas Golden Knights, the Bruins’ third line was a problem all night, and Hagens was right in the middle of it.
Boston outattempted Vegas 15-9 with Hagens on the ice against Jack Eichel at 5-on-5, owned a 3-0 edge in high-danger chances, and outscored Eichel’s line 1-0. The Bruins improved to 11-4-1 and stretched their home winning streak to six straight.
Morgan Geekie also scored for the second game in a row, and Sturm had comments about Charlie McAvoy’s penalties after the win.
There was more Bruins news off the ice, too. Fanatics and the NHL unveiled the 32 jerseys in the new ‘Hometown Remix’ series, and Boston’s version is brown.
The “Varsity Sweater” draws inspiration from the four Beanpot teams, and the Bruins will wear it 12 times this season. The first appearance comes Nov. 12, along with a “Homecoming” event.
The AHL also handed out some hardware to a familiar name. Mikey Eyssimont was named Player of the Month for October. He leads the P-Bruins with 13 points, and his 10 goals are the most in the AHL.
Boston is set for an 11:00 AM practice at Warrior Ice Arena, open to the public, before heading to Pittsburgh later in the day ahead of Thursday’s game.
Around the league, Nikita Kucherov’s future is back in the spotlight. He spoke Monday in Tampa and said there have only been two conversations with Julien BriseBois since he became extension-eligible in July. Asked whether he would still be with the Lightning after the season, Kucherov said, “I made my request.”
Kevin Weekes reported that the first offer was around $13M, then was revised to $15M after Leo Carlsson signed for $18M and Cale Makar for $20.4M. Weekes also said Kucherov will play out his contract and has told teammates and the club he won’t re-sign in Tampa.
Dylan Larkin remains unresolved, and while his list does not include the Bruins, Boston is still in the mix if that changes. Chris Johnston’s trade board at The Athletic has Larkin at No. 2 and Simon Edvinsson at No. 3, with Pavel Zacha listed at No.
- Johnston also noted that the Bruins are among the teams “willing to pull the trigger if Larkin expands that list to include them.”
Elsewhere, the Canadiens suffered a stunning collapse, blowing a 4-0 lead in the final 2:39 before Dylan Samberg won it 3:30 into overtime for Winnipeg. The Penguins dropped to 0-2-1 in their last three after another loss to the Golden Knights, and the mood in Pittsburgh sounds bleak.
There was also troubling news involving Jarome Iginla. Sportsnet reported that the former Bruins forward and Calgary Flames legend is dealing with neurological health issues and said he is not entirely sure what is causing them, though it may be connected to the hip replacement surgery he had after his playing career.
On the international front, Canadian PM Mark Carney confirmed Russia will not be allowed to compete at the upcoming World Junior Championships, even though the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Russia must be reinstated starting with the WJC. Six European federations have already said they would not play Russian teams.
In Other News...
Bruins May Have A Bigger Opportunity Than Don Sweeney Can Ignore
Bostons retool has put the club in an unusual position for a team that spent the past couple of years reshaping its core: it is not just competitive, it is sitting on top of the Atlantic Division with the best points percentage in the group. The mix looks different now, with younger pieces like Fraser Minten and James Hagens joining established pillars such as David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy, while rookie coach Marco Sturm has helped steer a group that also has real depth in goal with Jeremy Swayman and Michael DiPietro.
All of that gives Don Sweeney something more interesting than a routine deadline calculation. The Bruins already have three first-round picks in upcoming drafts, which means they have the kind of draft capital that can actually open doors if a bigger swing presents itself. The question is whether Boston treats this as a team to keep building patiently, or as one with enough present-day momentum to chase a far more ambitious opportunity if the right one comes into view. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Suddenly Have A Real Shot In The Dylan Larkin Sweepstakes
The Dylan Larkin chatter around the league has put the Bruins in an interesting spot, with Boston among several teams monitoring a situation that still has plenty of moving parts. Trade talks involving the Red Wings captain are ongoing, and the fact that multiple clubs are circling only adds to the intrigue for a Bruins team that would love to find itself in the mix if the door opens.
For now, the process appears to be exactly that - a process - with no deal in place and no clear resolution on where things go next. Montreal, Buffalo and other interested teams are also trying to position themselves, while Larkin and his agent believe a move is possible, which keeps Boston's hopes alive as the situation continues to develop. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Now Face A Matthew Poitras Concern Before Pittsburgh
Matthew Poitras remained a notable concern for the Bruins on the eve of their trip to Pittsburgh after head coach Marco Sturm said the forward stayed out for the entire practice. Poitras has been dealing with the injury he suffered against Vegas, and Boston is at least planning to have him travel with the team as it prepares for the next game.
The Bruins have leaned on Poitras for secondary scoring this season, with the young forward posting seven points in 12 games. His status now adds another layer of uncertainty to a lineup that has already had to adjust on the fly, and the next checkpoint will come after he gets checked out again. [Read more 🡒]