Former Boston College Eagles forward James Hagens is one of the most intriguing prospects entering the 2025 NHL Draft.
The Long Island, New York native could find himself at home after the New York Islanders won the NHL Draft Lottery on Monday night.
Hagens finished third on Boston College in points with 37 in the 2024/25 season, which was his first in College Hockey. He scored 11 goals with 26 assists, finishing fifth and second, respectively, on the team in those statistical categories.
Ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, let's take a look at Hagens' odds to be selected first overall.
James Hagens | +225 |
Field (vs. James Hagens) | -300 |
Five of the Islanders' top six points scorers were 29-years-old or older in the 2024/25 season. While they have some strong attacking prospects coming up — such as Calum Ritchie, Liam Foudy, and Cole Eiserman — they may decide to further build that group by drafting Hagens.
Hagens had a great showing in his team's NCAA Tournament opening game, assisting on the first goal and scoring the game-winner against Bentley with less than two minutes left in the third period. Like most of his teammates, he went quiet in the second-round loss against the 2023/24 National Champion Denver Pioneers.
There are plenty of other top-tier forward prospects eligible for this draft, although none are regarded as highly as the last two No. 1 picks, Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini.
That group includes Michael Misa of Ontario Hockey League team Saginaw, Porter Martone of OHL team Brampton, Caleb Desnoyers from Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League team Moncton, and Anton Frondell of Swedish second league team Djurgarden.
But, College Hockey is getting more and more respect, and two of the last four top picks have been from NCAA programs. Before that, the last No. 1 overall pick from an American university was Rick DiPietro in 2000.
Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.