“It’s his first time up here,” the coach mentioned following Friday’s observe at Warrior Arena. “[Thursday] was a very exciting day. [Friday] was the first time where, OK, this is about hockey. We could see it in practice. He just needs time and to get used to our system. That’s the biggest thing. I’m not going to throw that kid in and have him fail. I don’t want to do that. So, he’s on the right track. That’s our next step and we will take it day by day and find the right time.”
If the Bruins do sew up their spot against the Lightning — they’re 0-2-1 vs. Jon Cooper’s squad this season — it’s fully potential Hagens may don his Black-and-Gold threads for the primary time Sunday night towards the Blue Jackets in Columbus. That’s the membership’s last highway recreation of the common season; Boston’s last recreation is Tuesday towards the Devils.
“I’ve got to feel comfortable doing it,” mentioned Sturm. “I’m trying to do the best I can to make the right decision for this team, first of all, for this organization, and, of course, for James. I do want him to play, so I’m just going to take it day by day.”
The logical touchdown spot for Hagens is left wing on the third line. It’s been a revolving door with Mikey Eyssimont, Alex Steeves, and Lukas Reichel taking turns within the function. Eyssimont held the spot Friday, and it’s probably he’ll be within the lineup towards his former crew Saturday.
Hagens, in the meantime, labored on the fifth line with Steeves and Reichel, the latter of whom was shipped to Providence following observe.
Sturm mentioned Hagens’s arrival ought to function a spark for the trio.
“I was wondering how they’re thinking and they’re probably thinking, ‘Holy moly, there’s another guy coming up and that’s going to be [his] spot.’ It should motivate them,” mentioned Sturm. “Not be like, ‘Here we go again.’ No, they should fight for that spot. And that’s good. That’s what we want. We’re not going to hand it to anyone. Not James, either. He has to earn it, too.”
Hagens did get some power-play work throughout his first full observe. He was noticed getting recommendation from Hampus Lindholm and Fraser Minten.
“It’s awesome when you’re able to get feedback from teammates like that,” mentioned Hagens. “They’re helping you, telling you what they see and me telling them what I see, so it’s great.”
Near the tip of the session, Sturm performed one-on-one drills through which Hagens battled Morgan Geekie after which Jonathan Aspirot. It’s a bodily taxing, short-burst train.
“You go out there and you try to give it your all,” mentioned Hagens. “It’s a really fun practice.”
It was a small pattern measurement, however Geekie was impressed with what he noticed.
“He’s a great player, a lot more skill than I have. He’s going to be a great player for a long time,” mentioned Geekie, Boston’s main objective scorer with 37. “When you see a player with that kind of skill come in, it speaks for itself and you don’t need to see much to know that he’s good with the puck. We’re happy to have him here and excited to see him get in a game, whenever that may be. Everybody’s here for him [to help] try to put him in the best position possible.”
Hagens remains to be residing on campus at Boston College and is juggling three lessons — Engaging in Catholicism, Brain and Mind Behavior, and Cold War — as he begins his skilled profession.
. . .
Defenseman Jordan Harris is the Bruins’ nominee for the King Clancy Award, given to the participant “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community.” Harris, who grew up in Haverhill and performed at Northeastern, runs “Harris’ Huskies,” a mentoring program that connects youth with members of the NU hockey crew.
Jim McBride may be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him @globejimmcbride.
