James Hagens is 2025 NHL Draft's wild card — with Islanders a possibility
Share this @internewscast.com

LOS ANGELES — The mystery of the NHL draft Friday night surrounds James Hagens. 

There’s the question of whether the Long Island native who came into the season as the potential No. 1 pick could slide as far as 10th or 11th.

There’s the much-rumored possibility the Islanders will find a way to move back into the top 10 to take the hometown kid.

There’s the potential for both outcomes to intersect. 

“If I end up sliding in the draft, I’ll just go to the team that values me most,” Hagens mentioned on Thursday. “I plan to prove myself on the ice and I’m not concerned about it. Simply being here and getting selected is an honor. It doesn’t matter where I get picked; the draft itself is a privilege. Whatever team I join, there will always be a drive to prove something,” he added confidently.


James Hagens at the NHL Draft Top Prospects Media Availability.
James Hagens is this NHL draft’s wild card. Getty Images

Hagens, a Hauppauge native who grew up admiring John Tavares and attending games at both Nassau Coliseum and Barclays Center, could become a legend for the Islanders. If the team can negotiate a deal—considering the Bruins at No. 7 and the Mammoth at No. 4 are reportedly open to trading their picks—that results in acquiring Hagens, alongside Matthew Schaefer, who the Islanders are anticipated to select first, it would be a remarkable storyline.

Even though Hagens consistently states he is content with any outcome, it’s clear that staying close to home holds significant sentimental value both for him and for Islanders fans who have long awaited the chance to cheer for a local talent of his caliber.

“Somewhere you grew up, something you put so much pride in as a kid and still to this day, it’d be really something that would be really cool,” Hagens said. “Being able to come home, to go back to where it all started, it’d be special. 

“I’ve been around it for my whole life. It’s what got me to love hockey. It’s something I know and love.” 

If the Islanders attempt to move up, they could try to use either Noah Dobson or a package including some combination of Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Alexander Romanov and futures as the means of doing so. 


James Hagens
James Hagens grew up on Long Island. NHLI via Getty Images

Dobson and Romanov are restricted free agents on July 1, and Dobson in particular looks like a possibility to move if the Islanders choose not to meet his contract demands. 

Hagens, of course, is not thinking in such terms. He just wants to hear his name called. 

“I don’t think you’d be disappointed getting picked by any team here,” he said. “It’s an exciting time wherever you go. You just want to be in a place that wants you.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Israel sends team to Qatar for Gaza ceasefire negotiations

Israel Dispatches Delegation to Qatar for Gaza Truce Talks

The war has been ongoing for nearly 21 months now. DEIR AL-BALAH,…
Ocean view from grassy area with rocky shore.

Fisherman Missing and Feared Dead After Alleged Attack by Two Sharks While Retrieving Catch in South Africa

A MISSING fisherman is feared dead after getting attacked by two sharks…
Tropical Storm Chantal downgraded to tropical depression

Tropical Storm Chantal Weakens to Tropical Depression

Tropical Storm Chantal has now been downgraded to a tropical depression after…
Young Texas camp survivor describes harrowing moment she prepared for worst during deadly flood

Texas Camp Survivor Recalls Terrifying Experience During Deadly Flood

A young camper who was rescued from Camp Mystic described the harrowing…
Father outraged after discovering daughter's alleged killer should have been behind bars years ago

Father Furious to Learn Daughter’s Suspected Killer Was Supposed to Be Imprisoned Long Ago

A father, already in mourning, became more outraged after discovering that the…
Trump Authorizes Disaster Relief for Kerr County, Texas, in Wake of Horrific Flooding (Updated)

Trump Approves Emergency Aid for Kerr County, Texas, Following Severe Flooding (Update)

As many Americans were getting ready to celebrate Independence Day on Friday,…
Photo of Yessica Arrua, accused of stealing from Palm Beach Equine Clinic.

Employee mistakenly paid $400,000, believed to be a bonus on her $60k salary, spends it on lavish shopping spree

A HORSE clinic receptionist is accused of grand theft after being accidentally…
DHS Says Mainstream Media 'Deliberately Lying' in Coverage of Events Leading Up to Catastrophic TX Flood

DHS Accuses Mainstream Media of Intentionally Misleading Reports About Events Before Devastating Texas Flood

There are accusations ranging from the influence of DOGE to budget reductions…
Young Texas camp survivor describes harrowing moment she prepared for worst during deadly flood

Teen Survivor from Texas Camp Shares Terrifying Experience During Life-Threatening Flood

A young camper who was rescued from Camp Mystic described the harrowing…
The Dalai Lama celebrates his 90th birthday

The Dalai Lama Marks His 90th Birthday Celebration

Living in exile since fleeing Chinese rule in 1959, he remains a…
Russian T-90 tanks in a military parade on Red Square.

Could This Trigger World War 3? NATO Chief Warns of Coordinated Attacks by Putin and China

A CHILLING forecast of how World War Three will start has been…
Visitor feared to have lost arm in lion zoo attack

Visitor Suspected of Losing Arm in Lion Attack at Zoo

A woman in her 50s is believed to have lost an arm…