Hagens Gets on the Board: Rookie Scores in Two of First Four Games
Every Bruins fan remembers where they were for a big first goal. James Hagens just gave us two of those moments in less than a week.
Goal number one
It happened on Oct. 2 in Winnipeg. Late in the first period, Mark Kastelic drove hard to the net, Nikita Zadorov tapped the puck across the crease, and Hagens slid it under an outstretched Stuart Skinner. That's goal number one in the NHL, and it put the Bruins up 2-1 in a game they went on to win in overtime.
We love that his first goal came in a big moment, in a road win, in a hostile building on the Jets' home opener. It's the kind of thing you'll remember for the rest of your career.
Goal number two
Three nights later, back at TD Garden, he did it again. In a tough 4-1 loss to Ottawa, Hagens was the one who spoiled the Senators' shutout bid. After Samuel Ersson misplayed the puck in the corner, Hagens sent a pass toward the front of the net looking for Matthew Poitras, and the puck deflected in off a sliding Ersson.
Was it the prettiest goal ever? No. Does it count? Absolutely. And on a night when nothing else was going right, it was nice to see the rookie give the home crowd something to cheer about.
Learning from the veterans
Hagens has been skating on the third line with Casey Mittelstadt and Elias Lindholm. We really like that setup. Lindholm and Mittelstadt are experienced, smart players, and having them alongside him should help Hagens settle into the pace and physicality of the NHL without being thrown into the deep end.
It also takes some pressure off. On the third line, he gets to play real minutes, learn, make mistakes and grow, without being expected to carry the offense every night.
What we've noticed
Watching his first few games, the thing that stands out to us is how comfortable he looks around the net. Both of his goals came from being in the right spot at the right time, and that's not luck. That's instinct, and it's something you can't really teach.
He's also clearly still learning, like every rookie. There will be nights when the game feels fast and the plays don't connect. That's normal, and it's part of the process. The good news is he's surrounded by veterans and a coaching staff that seem committed to letting him grow.
Why fans should be excited
For a lot of us, there's nothing better in sports than watching a young player develop right in front of us. We get to see the first goals, the first big hits, the first big moments, and we get to say we were there from the beginning. Hagens is giving us that chance.
The bigger picture
Two goals in four games is a great start for any rookie. But what has us most excited isn't the numbers. It's the way he carries himself and the moments he's already finding. Our columnist Soapz has a lot more to say about that, and we think you'll enjoy it: read Hagens Is Coming. The NHL Isn't Ready.
Our take
It's early, and there will be ups and downs, like there are for every young player. But we're watching the start of something here, Bruins fans. Enjoy the ride. 🐻