The New York Rangers are at a pivotal juncture. Coming off a disappointing 2024-2025 season where they missed the playoffs despite a talented roster, General Manager Chris Drury and newly appointed Head Coach Mike Sullivan are clearly in “win-now” mode. They’ve already made significant moves this offseason, including acquiring J.T. Miller and signing Vladislav Gavrikov, but one key area of concern remains: the long-term future of their center ice position and their prospect pool down the middle. This is precisely why the Rangers need to be making aggressive phone calls in the days leading up to the 2025 NHL Draft to explore every avenue to land top prospect James Hagens.
The Rangers’ prospect pipeline is generally strong on the wing (Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othman) and on defense (E.J. Emery, Matthew Robertson), but there’s a noticeable gap when it comes to high-end center prospects. While Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller provide a solid one-two punch at center for the immediate future, both are aging, and the team lacks a clear successor with top-line potential in their system. This is where James Hagens becomes an almost irresistible target.
James Hagens, a native of Long Island, New York, is widely regarded as one of the elite talents in the 2025 NHL Draft class.1 A left-shot center, he was initially projected by many as the potential first overall pick before some other prospects made bigger leaps in their development. However, he remains firmly in the top-five discussion and possesses a unique blend of skills that could make him a cornerstone player for any NHL franchise.
Hagens’s scouting reports consistently highlight his exceptional hockey IQ, elite vision, and creativity as a playmaker.2 He is praised for his ability to control the pace of the game, find teammates in dangerous areas, and make intelligent decisions with the puck. Despite not being the biggest center (listed at 5-foot-10.5, 186 pounds), he compensates with high-end skating, agility, and a relentless compete level. Coaches who have worked with him compare his skating and elusive movements to Jack Hughes, and his “awkward, different” style of play to Logan Cooley, making him incredibly difficult for defenders to contain.
After a record-breaking performance at the 2024 U-18 World Championship (22 points in 7 games) and a strong showing at the 2025 World Junior Championship (5 goals, helping Team USA win gold), Hagens completed his freshman season at Boston College.3 He posted a respectable point-per-game (37 points in 37 games) against older competition, further proving his ability to adapt to higher levels of play. He is committed to play at Boston College again for the 2025-26 season, which would give him another year of development in a strong NCAA program.
For the Rangers, landing Hagens would address a critical need for a potential future first-line center. Imagine a future where Hagens could eventually slot in behind Zibanejad or Miller, or even play alongside one of them, providing high-octane offense and intelligent two-way play. His local roots on Long Island would also make him a huge fan favorite and a strong marketing asset for the franchise. The New York Islanders are also reportedly very interested in Hagens, with their GM Mathieu Darche having dinner with him during the NHL Combine and reports indicating a desire to trade back into the first round to acquire him if he slips outside the top five. This adds a layer of rivalry and urgency for the Rangers.
The challenge for the Rangers is their draft position. Due to previous trades, most notably the J.T. Miller deal that sent their 2025 first-round pick (12th overall) to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Rangers do not possess a first-round pick in the upcoming draft. Their first selection is currently in the second round, at pick #43. If they want Hagens, they will need to make a substantial move up the draft board.
This means General Manager Chris Drury needs to be highly aggressive and creative on the trade market. Here’s how the Rangers could potentially make it happen:
- Identify Trade Partners: The first step is to identify teams picking in the top 5-8 range that might be willing to move down. Teams like Utah (4th overall), Nashville (5th overall), and Philadelphia (6th overall) are all potential candidates, as some of them have multiple first-round picks or are looking to retool their rosters. The Flyers, for instance, have six picks in the first 48 selections, including three in the first round, and have publicly stated their desire to acquire centers.4
- Assemble an Attractive Package: Trading into the top 10, especially for a player of Hagens’s caliber, will be expensive. The Rangers would likely need to offer a package that includes:
- Their 2026 First-Round Pick: This is almost a given. A future first-round pick, especially if the Rangers are expected to be contenders, carries significant value.
- High-End Prospects: The Rangers have some intriguing prospects they could dangle. E.J. Emery (D), Gabe Perreault (LW), and Brennan Othman (LW) are all highly regarded and could entice a team looking to add to their prospect pool without necessarily taking on more cap space immediately. While parting with these prospects would hurt, the opportunity to acquire a potential franchise center is rare.
- Current Roster Players: This is where things get interesting. The Rangers have already shown a willingness to move established players (e.g., K’Andre Miller, Chris Kreider, Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil). If a team is looking for a more immediate NHL-ready piece to complement their draft pick, the Rangers could offer players who might be seen as expendable given recent acquisitions or current roster construction.
- Multiple Picks: Combining future mid-round picks with a high-end future first-rounder and a prospect could sweeten the deal.
- To Utah (Pick #4): Rangers send 2026 1st Round Pick (unprotected), Gabe Perreault (LW prospect), and their 2025 2nd Round Pick (#43 overall). This gives Utah a high-end prospect, a future first, and a high second-rounder to immediately select another good player.
- To Nashville (Pick #5): Rangers send 2026 1st Round Pick (top-10 protected), Brennan Othman (LW prospect), and a 2027 2nd Round Pick. Nashville gets a promising prospect and future draft capital.
- To Philadelphia (Pick #6): Rangers send 2026 1st Round Pick (unprotected), K’Andre Miller (D, recently traded to Seattle in this hypothetical), and a 2025 3rd Round Pick. This would involve a larger multi-team trade but could give Philadelphia the center they want later in the draft while acquiring a strong young defenseman.
The decision to make such a bold move comes with risks. Trading away future assets, especially a potential first-round pick, can hinder long-term sustainability. However, the Rangers’ current competitive window, combined with a clear organizational need for a high-end center prospect, makes a strong case for taking this calculated gamble.
James Hagens represents a rare opportunity to acquire a dynamic, top-tier center from their home state, who could anchor their offense for years to come. In a draft shakeup, where teams are looking to make deals, General Manager Chris Drury needs to be the busiest man on the phone, exhausting every option to bring James Hagens home to Broadway. The long-term reward could far outweigh the immediate cost.
