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Boston Globe
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Before James Hagens decides if he'll return to BC, he'll realize a dream by hearing his name called in the NHL Draft
'This year went really well, coming in right away and learning how to adapt to the pace of play and the structure of a college-level game. It was something that really helped me and helped my game.' Advertisement To some observers, Hagens was in a situation akin to that of Once the season started, Hagens worked his way up to centering the top line, skating with 2023 first-round picks Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault. It was a spot occupied the year before by Will Smith, who led the country with 71 points before signing with the Sharks last spring. Advertisement While Hagens didn't have the same level of offensive production, comparisons to Celebrini or Smith weren't quite fair as the circumstances were a bit different. Listed at 5 feet 11 inches, 176 pounds, Hagens did not have the physical traits of Celebrini, who showed up at BU at 6 feet, 190 pounds and already was a more complete player. Smith had established chemistry with Leonard and Perreault, the trio having skated together with the US National Team Development Program before heading to BC. So while the transition may not have been seamless at first with Hagens, by the end of the season they were one of the top lines in the NCAA, with Leonard being named Hockey East Player of the Year and a Hobey Baker Award finalist. 'He's got some things that are a lot harder to teach,' said BC coach Greg Brown. 'His spatial awareness and ability to transport pucks and skate by guys, not only with good skating but also by using his brain to set up the people he wants to skate by, whether he's making them freeze with a fake, or getting them at the wrong foot so he can use the other side against them. He just has some real special attributes that will translate very well to the NHL.' At times it seemed Hagens may have been too deferential to his older linemates, perhaps not looking for his own shot. 'He did have those moments, but he's kind of a pass-first player right now,' said Brown. 'His vision and creativity to distribute pucks is one of his very best attributes, and I think he enjoys that part of the game, so he'll grow into becoming a dual threat of scorer and passer.' Advertisement Whether that growth continues at BC is not certain, as Hagens hasn't stated if he will return for his sophomore year. While Smith and Celebrini were one and done, another year in college would seem to be beneficial for Hagens, allowing him to follow in the footsteps of Leonard and Perreault, who jumped to the NHL this spring. Cutter Gauthier also returned for a second year with BC for the 2023-24 season, and went on to lead the nation in goals and was a Hobey Baker finalist. 'You just have to see what happens,' said Hagens. 'There's no decision made yet. That's a discussion me and my family and the team would have to have after the draft.' The NHL is not a developmental league, with teams playing three to four times a week. The college schedule typically calls for no more than two games a week, on weekends, allowing for more practices. It also provides an opportunity to hit the weight room so players can withstand the rigors of the NHL when they do make the jump. It's hard to imagine any organization having an issue if Hagens chooses to return to campus. Most scouting reports indicate that he could use a bit more seasoning. He certainly seems to have enjoyed his time in Boston, and didn't flinch when asked about the prospect of falling to Bruins, who own the seventh pick. 'I love Boston,' Hagens said. 'Obviously being at Boston College, I'm right in the middle of Boston there. It's a beautiful city. Only great things to say about it.' Advertisement But before that, he will head to Buffalo for next week's scouting combine, something Hagens has been gearing up for since BC's season ended in late March. It's another step as he moves closer to hearing his name called next month. 'Getting drafted, it's been my dream my entire life,' said Hagens. 'That's why I started playing hockey. That's why I still play. I'm really just grateful for everything right now … You just have to make sure you're living in the moment and taking it day by day.' Follow Andrew Mahoney
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
New Islanders GM evaluates Horvat and Palmieri future
The New York Islanders are entering a pivotal offseason under newly appointed general manager Mathieu Darche. With cornerstone players such as Bo Horvat, Mathew Barzal, and Ilya Sorokin secured on long-term deals, Darche is expected to retool rather than rebuild. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Among the immediate decisions he faces is the future of Bo Horvat. Despite being under contract through 2031 with a full no-trade clause for the next two seasons, Horvat's value as a top-tier center could attract significant interest from teams seeking help in a shallow free-agent market. While some insiders believe Darche may entertain offers, the current sentiment suggests the Isles may prefer to retain Horvat's leadership and offensive depth. Veteran winger Kyle Palmieri is another key player with an uncertain future. Talks of a contract extension were initiated under former GM Lou Lamoriello but stalled after his departure. With Palmieri's production holding steady and his contract expiring, Darche could negotiate a short-term deal. A pay cut from his current $5 million annual salary might be required for him to stay, but his contributions could justify a modest raise depending on market demand. Jets weigh contract extension or trade for Ehlers LIVE: Mathieu Darche Press Conference In Winnipeg, speculation continues around forward Nikolaj Ehlers, who is entering the final year of his seven-year deal. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff appears interested in retaining Ehlers long-term, having recently held an extended meeting with the winger's agent. The hope in Winnipeg is to make Ehlers a permanent fixture in the lineup. Islanders eye promising young talent for the future New York Islanders (Credit: Getty Image) Another angle to Darche's strategy could involve young prospects. His experience with the Tampa Bay Lightning has sparked speculation that he may look to bring in Isaac Howard, a Hobey Baker winner who remains unsigned by the Lightning. The Islanders could offer Howard a quicker path to NHL action, something that may appeal to the young forward seeking a stable development route. Read more: As the offseason progresses, the decisions made by the Islanders and Jets front offices will help define the next phase for both organizations.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Talented, confident Knights looking for hunger versus Wild
LAS VEGAS — In a town where the all-you-can-eat buffets are legendary, and you can get a shrimp cocktail for less than $10 at any hour of day or night, the local hockey club's coach just wants his team to be hungry. We are less than two years removed from Bruce Cassidy directing the Vegas Golden Knights to the franchise's first Stanley Cup title, in just its sixth season of existence, having joined the NHL as an expansion team in 2017. When thinking about his team's latest foray into the playoffs, and a first-round series versus the Minnesota Wild, Cassidy couldn't help but reflect back on what they did in 2023, and the internal fire it takes to win 16 postseason games. Advertisement He said the hunger his team had two seasons ago, led by a bunch of players and a coach that had never before reached the game's pinnacle, is the difference-maker beyond the 82-game regular season. 'That's kind of what we have to re-claim. That needs to be equal to the other team, unless you're way better,' Cassidy said. 'When you come into the playoffs, it's 16 teams that are not that different. Some obviously have advantages over others, but they're all good hockey teams. So, that hunger and competitiveness has to be at the top of the list.' Vegas finished the regular season with a 50-22-10 record, tops in the Pacific Division and second behind Winnipeg in the Western Conference. Three of those 50 wins came against the Wild. But in their guests from Minnesota, the Vegas coach sees some things his team will need to counter, and a potential advantage for the Golden Knights if the Wild take penalties. 'I think they're good at keeping the puck out of their net, and that's usually a product of not allowing the rush game to get going. I think they're very good at suppressing rush chances and not giving you odd-man rushes or easy opportunities,' he said. 'You're going to have to get inside, you're going to have to work and create your offense through O-zone play … get on the power play, that's an advantage. They've given up some goals on the PK. But the rush game, I think, is what they're really good at.' Advertisement For the Wild's part, their coach raves about the size of the Vegas defenders, and says that getting to the net might be Minnesota's biggest challenge if they are to pull off an upset and get to the second round, something the Wild have not done since 2015. 'First and foremost, they're a pretty strong defensive structure team,' John Hynes said on Friday. 'They have one of the bigger D-cores in the league, and when you look at their defensive numbers, they're a team that is responsible without (the puck). From an offensive perspective, they have high-end talent and they can hit you in multiple ways.' The Knights' offense is keyed by Jack Eichel, the 2015 Hobey Baker winner from Boston University who languished in Buffalo early in his career, then came to Vegas and was a cornerstone of the 2023 Stanley Cup run. Despite missing five regular-season contests, including one against the Wild, he finished in the NHL's top 10 statistically with 28 goals and 66 assists in 77 games. Eichel's lone hat trick of the season came on March 25 at Xcel Energy Center in a 5-1 win over the Wild. Advertisement While preparing his team to face the Wild, Cassidy said that the first 60 minutes of any playoff series is the classroom where you learn how the next three to six games are going to go. 'I think the series starts after Game 1. You see what you are a little bit, and what they are and away we go. 'I didn't see this coming, I saw this coming, yeah, this is who they are,' ' Cassidy said. 'And then you start making a few adjustments and then you go along. I can give them all they want on Minnesota. They're going to give us all about Vegas. But once you start playing, you start to truly know and get into it. So, you've got to be careful you don't overload. I have learned that.' After a 50-win season, the Knights are coming in as the confident favorite, and their coach said he's not trying to give them too much to think about regarding Kirill Kaprizov or Brock Faber or Filip Gustavsson. 'We're going to play our game and let them adjust to us. That's not a bad mindset,' Cassidy said. 'They want to play hockey. They've done it 82 times this year. They want to play Vegas Golden Knights' hockey and they don't want to hear every detail about Minnesota.' Related Articles
New York Times
18-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Zeev Buium quarterbacks top power play in practice, could debut in Wild playoff opener
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Kirill Kaprizov is considered a top 10 player in the NHL and the first legit superstar in Wild history. Nothing fazes a guy who burst onto the scene with a three-point game and the overtime winner against the L.A. Kings in his NHL debut, yet even Kaprizov can't imagine what it would be like for Zeev Buium to make his NHL debut during Stanley Cup playoffs inside rabid T-Mobile Arena in Vegas. Advertisement 'It's crazy,' Kaprizov said after Buium quarterbacked the top power play during Thursday's practice. 'I play in Ufa at 19.' Kaprizov, who made his NHL debut three months before his 24th birthday, laughed hard. 'It's not easy, for sure, for him, but he's played a bunch of games in world juniors and college,' Kaprizov said. 'I understand it's junior league and stuff like that, but everyone need to step up (levels at some point). I think it's nice for him. He had nice year this year and now he's booming in the NHL. (Brock) Faber did it a couple years ago. Same time, I know Faber played a couple (regular-season) games first (before the 2023 playoffs).' Coach John Hynes wouldn't declare it official yet that Buium — the Hobey Baker finalist, two-time World Junior gold medalist and 2024 NCAA national champ — will dive right into the Wild's Game 1 lineup a little more than a week after his University of Denver career concluded. But after not debuting in the Wild's regular-season finale Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks, the 2024 first-round pick quarterbacked the No. 1 power-play unit of Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, Mats Zuccarello and Joel Eriksson Ek during Wednesday's practice and took Jon Merrill's spot on the third defense pair with Zach Bogosian. That sure seems like the king of all tells that the Wild aren't going to wait for Buium to be an injury replacement or series momentum-shifter out of the bullpen a game or two in. Still: 'I would just take it day by day with him right now,' Hynes said behind what looked like the world's worst poker face. 'I don't want to get too far ahead with it, particularly now that we have two days off. Now, you ask me that question Saturday, I'll have the answer for you for sure. But today was like, 'OK, let's see some things,' what it looks like and just keep moving forward with our team. 'We're healthy and I think it was a good day for Zeev to put him in some situations that we think he can help us in, and just continue to try to make him feel comfortable and understand what's going on.' Zeev Buium on top #mnwild power play — Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) April 17, 2025 The Wild won't practice Friday before flying to Las Vegas in the afternoon, so we'll get more clarity during and after Saturday's practice in Summerlin, Nev., about whether we could see Buium debut Sunday night. If Buium debuts, he'll become the first Wild player in history to make his NHL debut in the playoffs. According to NHL Stats, since 1927 when the Stanley Cup was competed for solely by NHL teams, there have been 151 players that made their NHL debut in the playoffs. The last player to make his NHL debut in the playoffs was Nikolai Kovalenko on April 28, 2024 with Colorado. Advertisement But Buium, who can't legally drink a beer in Vegas or drop some of his recently-cashed signing bonus onto a blackjack or craps table, certainly strutted his stuff during Thursday's practice, his first with the full team. Buium admitted to Hynes that it was an initial adjustment from college just when it comes to the increased speed of practice and how quickly one must make plays on the power play or move the puck at five-on-five before defenders converge. But Buium has spent time with assistant coach Jack Capuano going over systems work, and Hynes chatted with Pioneers coach David Carle on Wednesday to learn more about Buium and how best to use such a special player in such a high-pressure situation. Buium was sure looking confident and not out of place. 'It was awesome,' he said. 'Obviously, really nice to get out there with all of them and get a real practice under me. I felt better as the practice went on. … This is the highest level, this is where you want to be. If my name gets called upon, I'll be ready.' Buium said he was a bit jittery at the beginning but as he got more touches and practice grew longer, he felt more and more confident. The biggest adjustment? 'Everything's just quicker, just puck decisions,' he said. 'Guys are moving faster and getting to spots quicker. I think that's just probably the main thing I realized out there, was just moving the puck quicker. And just your decision making needs to be one step ahead. They're so talented and smart and everything, so they make it pretty easy out there. It's fun to play with guys like that and get that opportunity.' Kaprizov skated with Buium before the Wild faced the Ducks and noticed quickly how he came as advertised. 'He's really good,' Kaprizov said, before laughing hysterically. 'I don't know how his defense is, but offense — I'm just kidding. I don't saw him his defense. I just saw his highlights offense, and in the practice we usually do some stuff on the power play and one-on-one or two-on-one. I don't saw D-zone. I think he's good. He's nice kid and so smart, I think. Skilled guy.' It's never easy for a young kid to step into the lineup at this time of year, especially because of the awkwardness around a new arrival causing somebody that's been playing all year, like Merrill, to come out. #mnwild lines Kaprizov-Eriksson Ek-BoldyJohansson-Gaudreau-ZuccarelloFoligno-Rossi-NyquistTrenin-Hartman-Brazeau Extra: Hinostroza Brodin-FaberMiddleton-SpurgeonBuium-Bogosian Merrill-Chisholm — Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 17, 2025 And it sure felt like Hynes and the Wild brass planned to start with Merrill in the lineup. Maybe it was Merrill's turnovers, including in Tuesday's finale, that caused this decision, or just the appeal of adding the pizzazz of a player as dynamic as Buium. He's just so good offensively that in sheltered minutes at five-on-five, he could add a dangerous dimension to a power play that has the ability to take advantage of Vegas' 26th-ranked penalty kill. Advertisement Plus, it would mean the Wild wouldn't start the playoffs with a five-forward power-play unit. Marco Rossi was replaced by Buium and practiced on the No. 2 unit Thursday with Marcus Johansson, Freddy Gaudreau, Gustav Nyquist and Jared Spurgeon. 'I'm excited for (Buium) … if that's the way it is,' veteran Marcus Foligno said. 'He's such a good kid. I've gotten to know him for the past three days. And, yeah, I'm just excited. We all want this guy in the lineup. We know it's big, but if there's one guy he can look to it's Brock Faber about how to come in. 'I know Brock had a couple games in before playoffs, but playoffs are playoffs and it doesn't matter. It's your first game to get thrown in there. I think just the way Zeev holds himself, carries himself, I think he's going to be just fine going into Game 1 against Vegas, and he's got the support of us as teammates, his new teammates now. And we want him to flourish. If he can be the offensive guy that we saw in college and can help us get some other looks and plays, that's all we (want). We just gotta make sure that we're giving him a confidence booster there that we want him to do those things and back him up.' Buium didn't get to play in Tuesday's dramatic victory over Anaheim in which Eriksson Ek tied the game with 22 seconds left to clinch a playoff spot for the Wild, but he couldn't believe he got to be in the locker room after the game to witness Foligno awarding the game puck to Marc-Andre Fleury after his 575th and final regular-season win. the most deserving in the world 🌸 — x – Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 16, 2025 Fleury, named the only star of the game, got to play overtime when Filip Gustavsson went to the bench after the third period to give his partner one final sendoff and make him the goalie of record. Boldy won the game in the final seconds of overtime. 'It was incredible,' Buium said. 'I mean, what a game, too, to watch for them to make it in. It was awesome. Was incredible to see them battle back like that and find a way. And obviously Fleury going in in overtime, grew up watching him, he's a legend, so that was extremely cool. It was awesome to be able to be in the locker room with all them after and experience that with them. That was great.' Because the Calgary Flames rallied to defeat Vegas in overtime after the Wild's game concluded Tuesday, had Eriksson Ek not scored, the Wild would have been sweating out Calgary's season finale Thursday night in Los Angeles. If the Flames won against the Kings, the Wild would have been eliminated from the postseason. #Flames won in a shootout vs VGK tonight. Had Eriksson Ek not tied it with 20.9 seconds left for #MNWild, and they lost in regulation, Calgary would have been in with a win Thursday vs LAK. Fine margins. — NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) April 16, 2025 'Nope. I could not imagine,' Foligno said. 'Practice probably would have been a hell of a lot different. Probably a couple skates at the end of it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We're 20 seconds away from finding that out, but I guess we'll never know.' Just having Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek back from injuries heading into the playoffs creates a different complexion going up against a formidable opponent like Vegas, a true Stanley Cup contender and the Pacific Division champion looking to win the Cup for the second time in three years. Kaprizov only played 41 games this season and Eriksson Ek 46, so they're fresh. Eriksson Ek scored five times in four games since their returns, while Kaprizov scored two goals and two assists. KAPRIZOV WINS IT IN OT IN HIS RETURN!! 🤯 The FIFTEENTH goal of the game is Kirill Kaprizov's @Energizer overtime winner! — NHL (@NHL) April 10, 2025 'Playoffs is the second season. I think you feel renewed life too as well,' Hynes said. 'So I think for Kirill and Ekky that that time off, yes, sometimes I think that that could be a benefit. Just not as many miles on the body throughout the year. 'But in saying that, they're also coming off of injuries and recovering from those things. I'd say excited to have those guys healthy and playing the way that they're playing, but I think that our team in general, once you get through that regular season, now you come back today, it is a renewed excitement I think for everybody.' Advertisement Often-maligned Johansson is playing his best hockey of the season. Overshadowed Tuesday night was the fact he scored Minnesota's first goal, then assisted on Boldy's overtime winner. He has been a top-six winger for most of this season, yet scored five goals and 19 points in his first 51 games. In the last 21, he scored six goals and 15 points. THE WILDEST FINISH 🤯 Matt Boldy caps off an amazing night in Minnesota with the Subway Canada OT winner — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 16, 2025 'It's good to see him playing the way that he is playing,' Hynes said. 'Obviously, the production is good but I think he's been very consistent to get that production. Skating's been a factor. I really liked his competitiveness. He's able to log ice time. He's playing in a lot of different situations for us. Jo's a really smart player, and he's got good skill. But I think when he's playing a speed game and his competitive nature is high, I think those are the two triggers that allow him to be able to produce, get chances and be a hard player to play against.' (Photo of Joel Eriksson Ek: Derek Cain / Getty Images)
New York Times
15-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Why Zeev Buium won't make his NHL debut for the Wild on Tuesday
ST. PAUL, Minn. — During a two-on-one drill in Tuesday's Minnesota Wild morning skate, Zeev Buium was in between two veteran forwards, Marcus Foligno and Marcus Johansson. Johansson sent a saucer pass across the ice. Buium snagged it with his stick out of mid-air, knocking it down. Johansson and Foligno both smiled. Advertisement 'Zeev!' Foligno yelled. The Wild see the talent in Buium, 19, the team's top prospect, who just signed after his University of Denver career ended on Thursday in the Frozen Four. Teammates love how he isn't shying away from conversations, even in his first two skates. They see a long, successful career ahead for the Hobey Baker finalist. But it won't be starting just yet. Buium won't be making his anticipated NHL debut against the Ducks at Xcel Energy Center on Tuesday night. The Wild are fighting for their playoff lives, needing at least a point to clinch a spot. If they lose in regulation and the Blues win, the Flames could knock the Wild out with two more wins to end the season. So the stakes are high. And that's part of the reason Buium is being scratched, coach John Hynes said. 'We don't take lineup decisions easily,' Hynes said. 'We spend hours talking about these different things. I think when you look at the situation tonight, Zeev is a great player. He's played in high-stakes environments at different levels. But it's also taking into consideration of the team and the situation, but also what's best for the player. He's come off the (Frozen Four), he's come off the Hobey Baker, the banquet. He hasn't been able to have a team practice yet to come in. So when you look at it and talk with the player, the agent, the management, you're always trying to make the right decision for the team and the player. 'We also want to set him up for success and opportunity to come in and play. We believe he can help us. Hopefully, we have more hockey left to play this year, and if we do, there's different situations for him. There's practice time and time in between games. It's not an easy decision, not a lighthearted decision. We believe it's well thought out with the combination of circumstances, what's best for the team, what's best for the player and everybody is on the same page with (it) — management, coaches, player.' Advertisement Buium confirmed that he gets it. He stayed out late with fellow scratches Declan Chisholm and Vinnie Hinostroza, along with Marc-Andre Fleury. While Buium said Monday it would be a 'dream come true' to make his NHL debut, he sees where the team is coming from. Captain Jared Spurgeon and Jake Middleton are returning to the lineup. 'These guys have been through everything with each other,' Buium said. 'Obviously, the season is on the line. I get it. I totally understand.' Had the Wild clinched their spot earlier, things could have been different. Had the Wild not gone winless on their three-game New York trip or won in Calgary last Friday, for example. Then you probably would have seen Marc-Andre Fleury get a start Saturday in Vancouver and Buium make his debut. If the Wild win and clinch, there will be two full team practices this week ahead of the playoffs, so that could help put him in a better position to play. (Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Wild)
