Three World Junior Championship players for Kent Hughes to watch: #3 - James Hagens

The Montreal Canadiens are hopeful to be competitive and secure a playoff berth this year, but if it doesn't go well there is the draft to shift focus to.

Every year the Christmas holidays also mean the annual World Junior Championships, and that is the perfect time to see the top draft-eligible prospects. This year is no different, with a trio of North American prospects looking like blue-chip prospects. One winger, one defenseman and one centre occupy my top three favourite undrafted prospects.

My third-ranked guy for Kent Hughes to keep his eye on is James Hagens, a product of the Boston College Eagles system, and projected number-one pick for the 2025 NHL Draft. Hagens is an elite processor, and his hands and feet are in synch. He always has his head up and reacts quickly in all situations.

Hagens' vision and playmaking ability are top-notch, and I expect whatever team that drafts to be very happy with their choice. I like the fit with the Habs, because I feel that adding world-class skill to the organization is a wise decision. But I do recognize that there are some concerns about his physical traits (5-foot-10 and 176 lbs).

I don't foresee the Habs wanting to add another sub-six-foot centre to the organization. Unless Montreal drafts him with the intent to develop him into a winger, he might be out of the question. I do think that if he is available to the Habs, they should consider it.

He does lean playmaker, but he is so smart and I think that if he shoots the puck more, good things will happen. Hagens has also been playing with Gabe Perrault and Ryan Leonard, two 2023 first-round pick, at Boston College. The 2025 draft prospect doesn't look out of place, which to me indicates the special talent that he has.

Hagens dusts the puck off and circles back, before laying a perfectly-timed backhand saucer pass about a foot off the ice. This play displayed his skill to make small area plays in-motion. Hagens is a special talent, and his poise and patience will serve him well.

Below is a great example of home smooth that Hagens' skating is, and how strong his puck skills are. Hagens keep his head up, feet moving and always looking ahead to the next option. I would like to see him shoot the puck more, if i'm being picky, because Montreal needs goals.

Guys who move like this, and are only maturing, growing and getting stronger are generally a good option to draft. I think that he will have a tremendous collegiate career, and then become a very good NHL player. I'm not so sure that Hughes would want a smaller centre, but you never know - this kid looks good.

Two goals and an assist with 25 minutes to go, have Hagens off to a blazing hot start in Ottawa. Hagens is shooting, making playings and showing off his skills against the Germans. The chemistry with his linemates is a definite factor, but Hagens is just playing out of his mind.

Canada-Finland later tonight

Canada and Finland will faceoff in their tournament opener tonight at 7:30 pm, and Team Canada has two of the three players that I think Hughes should be interested in drafting. This would mean that the Canadiens need to struggle and secure a pick in the top five of the draft if not higher. I don't want to see the Canadiens play poorly, but there are some nice options should they stumble into the offseason come April.

The Finns should never be taken lightly, but Canada has all of the pieces to have a strong tournament. I expect that Canada will want to gain momentum from their home Canadian crowd early on and get their legs under them. Canada has an impressive blueline, and I expect that their offence will score its fair share of goals.