- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,170,861
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
The Boston Bruins logo at center ice before an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
They did it.
The Boston Bruins signed James Hagens yesterday. He will be on Warrior Arena ice today. He will likely make his debut on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Long Island native and BC product played six games with the Providence Bruins on an amateur tryout, but now he’s with the big club.
Charlie McAvoy was also nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy on Wednesday. He is alongside a few former Bruins who are up for the trophy, which is given annually to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
There are quite a few important games for the playoff race tonight, including matchups with the Blue Jackets, Red Wings, and Islanders tonight. The Bruins will clinch a playoff spot if the Blue Jackets lose in regulation and the Islanders lose, per ESPN – the Bruins’ magic number is two.
Also, the Sabres slid into the top spot in the Atlantic Division with a win over the Rangers last night. The Lightning and Canadiens play each other tonight, but, for now, the Bruins and Sabres are lined up for a round one matchup.
Happy Thursday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean:
Boston Bruins
JAMES HAGENS: He has been in Providence on an amateur tryout, but the Boston Bruins turned it into an entry-level contract yesterday. James Hagens will join the team at Warrior this morning and will likely debut on Saturday against Tampa Bay. He led the Hockey East in scoring this season and was a top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker.
He cannot return to Providence for the Calder Cup playoffs.
WICKED BOSTON SHOW (video via YouTube): I joined good friend Cam Stuart on the Wicked Boston Show for a discussion about James Hagens… before he signed. But we talked about how this was the right time to call him up, his fit, and Sturm’s experience with younger players.
ICYMI: Charlie McAvoy was nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy yesterday. He has posted career-high numbers (49 assists, 60 points, 23 power-play points) despite battling injuries and losing a couple of teeth.
Prospects Update
The NCAA Frozen Four begins today from Las Vegas, NV. Will Zellers is the lone Bruins’ prospect still playing in the tournament.
- North Dakota (1) vs. Wisconsin – 5:00 PM (ESPN2)
- Denver vs. Michigan – 8:30 PM (ESPN2)
NHL News & National Hockey Now
Sportsnet: Ron Francis, the man who drafted Morgan Geekie twice (entry draft, expansion draft), is stepping down as the president of hockey operations in Seattle at the end of this season. Current GM Jason Botterill will take charge of hockey operations.
Florida Hockey Now: Bruins fans know him well; Florida is getting used to it. Brad Marchand gave all he could for the Panthers this season, but unfortunately wound up on the injury list. George Richards has a column on the former B’s captain and his impact on the Panthers this season. Marchand was nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy on Wednesday.
Carolina Hockey Now: Taylor Hall was also nominated for the Masterton. In his best season since 2021-22, when he was wearing the black and gold, he has served as a veteran presence in the Canes’ locker room. Rachel Barkley has more on Hall’s nomination.
The other former Bruin to be nominated was Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark.
Philly Hockey Now: The Bruins’ magic number is two, Philadelphia’s is seven. Will James did the math and showed what situations are best for the Flyers, who currently rank third in the Metropolitan Division.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The emergency backup goalie (EBUG) is a non-roster goaltender who is ready to be called on in emergency situations. The new Collective Bargaining Agreement will eliminate the amateur EBUG. Soon, they will be full-time and serve in both home and road games. Vince Comunale has more for PHN.
New Jersey Hockey Now: The New Jersey Devils fired GM Tom Fitzgerald on Monday night. James Nichols has five things that led to the firing of the Billerica native. More than one happened this season, including a missed trade and a botched trade negotiation.
Forever Blueshirts: It was the Rangers’ final home game last night, and they came out in their Centennial sweaters for the last time. However, it did not go so well; the Rangers coughed up a third-period lead and lost to the Sabres and lost, 5-3. The Sabres slid into the top spot in the Atlantic Division with the win.
STANDINGS (playoff odds per MoneyPuck):
Atlantic:
- x – Sabres – 104 points, 3 games remaining, clinched
- x – Lightning – 102 points, 4 games remaining, clinched
- x – Canadiens – 102 points, 4 games remaining, clinched
Metropolitan:
- y – Hurricanes – 106 points, 4 games remaining, division clinched
- Penguins – 96 points, 4 games remaining, 99.8% odds
- Flyers – 92 points, 4 games remaining, 60.1% odds
Wild Card:
- Bruins – 96 points, 3 games remaining, 98.8% odds
- Senators – 92 points, 4 games remaining, 83.8% odds
- Blue Jackets – 90 points, 4 games remaining, 27.9% odds
- Red Wings – 89 points, 4 games remaining, 5.5% odds
- Islanders – 89 points, 4 games remaining, 19.5% odds
IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY:
Eastern Conference
- A1 – Sabres vs. WC1 – Bruins
- A2 – Lightning vs. A3 – Canadiens
- M1 – Hurricanes vs. WC2 – Senators
- M2 – Penguins vs. M3 – Flyers
Western Conference
- C1 – Avalanche vs. WC2 – Predators
- C2 – Stars vs. C3 – Wild (matchup confirmed, home-ice not determined)
- P1 – Oilers vs. WC1 – Mammoth
- P2 – Golden Knights vs. P3 – Ducks
Today’s NHL Schedule
Maple Leafs at Islanders – 6:45 PM (US: ESPN+, Hulu)
Blue Jackets at Sabres – 7:00 PM*
Panthers at Senators – 7:00 PM*
Flyers at Red Wings – 7:00 PM*
Lightning at Canadiens – 7:00 PM
Penguins at Devils – 7:00 PM
Jets at Blues – 8:00 PM
Hurricanes at Blackhawks – 8:30 PM
Wild at Stars – 9:00 PM (US: ESPN+, Hulu)
Flames at Avalanche – 9:00 PM (Avs are one win away from the President’s Trophy)
Predators at Mammoth – 9:00 PM
Sharks at Ducks – 10:00 PM
FOLLOW @JACKSTUDLEY13 ON | FOLLOW @BOSHockeyNow ON
The post Daily Bean: Bruins Sign Hagens, Ron Francis Steps Down, McAvoy Among Masterton Nominees appeared first on Boston Hockey Now.
Continue reading...
