Despite a challenging start to the season, the Montreal Canadiens find themselves in a surprisingly strong position to win the lottery for the upcoming NHL draft.
Scheduled for June 2025, this draft features an impressive array of top prospects, including American forward James Hagens, who is already drawing comparisons to New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes from some analysts.
James Hagens recently commented on the possibility of playing for the Montreal Canadiens. In an article by TVA Sports journalist Nicolas Cloutier, it was noted that Michael Hage, who knows Hagens well and was the Canadiens’ first-round pick in the recent Vegas draft, could effectively promote the city to him.
Hage spoke highly of Hagens, calling him one of his close friends and noting their connection through Hage’s brother. “He’s a dynamic player who loves to have the puck. Coaches appreciate his ability to impact the game,” Hage stated.
Additionally, Hagens has another connection to the Canadiens through his teammate at Boston College, goalie Jacob Fowler, who is already with the organization. Fowler, a third-round pick in 2023, is having a remarkable season, leading Hagens to describe him as “one of the best goalies in the country” who makes difficult saves look easy.
This is promising for Fowler’s future with the Canadiens, and it’s possible that he and Hagens could be teammates in the near future. Hagens expressed his enthusiasm about joining the Canadiens, saying, “Montreal is such a beautiful place, and it would be so cool to play there.”
