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Bruins’ Marco Sturm outlines reason for delaying James Hagens’ debut
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- Bruins’ Marco Sturm outlines reason for delaying James Hagens’ debut
Bruins' Marco Sturm outlines reason for delaying James Hagens' debut appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Boston Bruins are on the precipice of clinching a playoff spot in Marco Sturm's first year as head coach. Last year, they traded franchise icon Brad Marchand amid a trade deadline fire sale, but this year has been a different story. They will be adding a top prospect to the club soon, but he is not quite ready yet. Sturm explains why James Hagens' Bruins debut won't come Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning .
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"He just needs time to get used to our system. We're not gonna throw that kid in and fail. We will take it day by day and find the right time," Sturm said, per Ty Anderson of 98.5 The Sports Hub.
Hagens was the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and returned to Boston College for his sophomore season. After scoring 47 points in 34 games for a disappointing Eagles squad, he signed an Amateur Try Out offer with the Providence Bruins. This gave him some time to get up to pro speed before joining the NHL squad.
In Rhode Island, Hagens scored once and added three assists in six games. The Bruins saw enough then to call him up and sign him to his entry-level deal, but his debut will have to wait. Boston's final two games are on Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets and on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils .
Sturm does not want to put Hagens in a position to fail, but some of his first professional action will come in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Boston will play either the Carolina Hurricanes or the Atlantic Division champion – whoever finishes with the worse record of the division champs – which will be a tough matchup. That could even be the Lightning as they look to get to their fourth Stanley Cup Final of the decade.
Related: Bruins sign James Hagens to 3-year contract
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