It’s that time of year again—time to start looking at potential draft targets for the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft. With the new draft lottery format, there were a few surprises. The biggest shock? The San Jose Sharks didn’t land the first overall pick—the New York Islanders did. But maybe the second most surprising outcome was the Utah Mammoth jumping up 10 spots, moving from 14th to 4th overall.

Now that we know where Utah will be picking, it’s time to look at who they could target. One name that stands out is James Hagens, a skilled American forward who has the potential to become a star for years to come.

James Hagens - Boston College (NCAA)

He is widely considered to be a top five pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, with some of the top scouts/sites ranking him within the top three. In some of the latest mock drafts from  the NHL Central Scouting, Elite Prospects, Future Considerations, and Bob McKenzie’s Rankings have him ranked second. 

Here at The Hockey News, our own Ryan Kennedy and Tony Ferrari has him ranked #3.

Hagens finds himself in an interesting position heading into the 2025 NHL Draft. As a Long Island native, there’s a small chance the New York Islanders take him first overall, giving him the rare opportunity to help turn around his hometown franchise. But there’s also a real possibility he slides to fourth overall—where the Utah Mammoth could scoop him up and make him a key piece of their future core.

Scouting Report:

Hagens is viewed as an elite playmaker who can drive offense on his own and create opportunities for his teammates. Scouts describe him as one of the most dynamic talents in the draft. He’s constantly moving, making him tough to defend and always a threat when he’s on the ice.

Our own Ferrari wrote about Hagens back on February 28 and had this to say:

"His understanding of how to manipulate defenders into making mistakes to open up passing lines is incredible at times. The slick passing and speed Hagens plays with should make any team happy on draft day."

This past season, he scored 11 goals and 26 assists for 37 points in 37 games at Boston College, playing on the top line alongside Washington Capitals prospect Ryan Leonard and New York Rangers prospect Gabe Perreault.

If the Mammoth end up with Hagens at No. 4, he’d be an ideal fit on a line with fellow prospect Tij Iginla, who’s known for his goal-scoring ability. The two could form a dangerous duo in Utah for years. The same could be said about a potential partnership with Michael Misa, but if Hagens is there at four, he’s someone Utah has to seriously look at. Some scouts believe his ceiling is Jack Hughes-level, with a floor similar to Utah’s own Logan Cooley.

The impact Hagens could have right away is significant. His speed and vision make him a natural play driver who improves the players around him—something that would go a long way in Utah’s lineup. Whichever team gets him will be thrilled on draft day, and if it’s the Mammoth, they might just land their next franchise center.

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