The Hockey News' main site has revealed the top 10 players [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/top-nhl-prospects-in-future-watch-2026-1-to-10] from their top 100 NHL-affiliated prospect rankings. Without any surprise, Boston Bruins top prospect James Hagens has made the cut. Hagens was given the No. 3 by THN and ranked higher than other notable prospects like Porter Martone (Philadelphia Flyers), Zayne Parekh (Calgary Flames), Dmitri Simashev (Utah Mammoth), and Brady Martin (Nashville Predators). When looking at the numbers Hagens put up this season with Boston College, it is not difficult to understand why he is being viewed as one of the best prospects in hockey. The 19-year-old has simply thrived this season with Boston College, as he recorded 23 goals, 24 assists, and 47 points in 34 games. This is after the 2025 seventh-overall pick had 11 goals and 37 points in 37 games with BC during the 2024-25 season. Hagens has also shown promise during his amateur tryout with the Providence Bruins so far. In four games with Providence, he has one goal and one assist. With Hagens having the potential to become a legitimate first-line forward at the NHL level, it is hard not to feel excited about his future with the Black and Gold. The Bruins were lucky that the Hauppauge, New York native was still available when they were on the clock, and they have one of the best prospects in hockey in their system because of it.
