Boston Bruins
“I’m not going to throw that child in and have him fail. I don’t need to try this.”
James Hagens could be up with the Bruins, however Boston’s prime prospect received’t take to the ice for Saturday’s matinee matchup in opposition to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Chatting with reporters on Friday at Warrior Ice Enviornment, Bruins head coach Marco Sturm stated that Hagens received’t play in opposition to Tampa as Boston tries to clinch a playoff berth in opposition to one of many prime groups within the Jap Convention.
A win in any capability in opposition to the Bolts would punch Boston’s ticket to the postseason after a one-year hiatus.
A talented playmaker like Hagens may conceivably assist Boston recover from the end line in opposition to Tampa, however Sturm preached persistence with the 19-year-old ahead.
“It’s his first time up right here,” Sturm stated. “[Thursday] was a really thrilling day. [Friday] was the primary time the place, OK, that is about hockey. We may see it in observe.
“He simply wants time and to get used to our system. That’s the most important factor. I’m not going to throw that child in and have him fail. I don’t need to try this. So he’s heading in the right direction. That’s our subsequent step and we’ll take it daily and discover the appropriate time.”
The Bruins have three extra regular-season video games left on their docket, together with a street sport in opposition to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night. A win in opposition to Tampa would conceivably open the door for Sturm to relaxation a couple of gamers and incorporate some youthful skaters into the lineup to play out the stretch.
However Sturm didn’t assure that Hagens will play in any of these three video games earlier than the postseason begins.
“I’ve received to really feel snug doing it,” Sturm stated. “I’m attempting to do one of the best I can to make the appropriate determination for this staff, to start with, for this group and, in fact, for James. I do need him to play, so I’m simply going to take it daily.”
Throughout Friday’s observe, Hagens skated on a “fifth” line with a couple of different scratches in Alex Steeves and Lukas Reichel. Reichel was despatched to Windfall on Friday afternoon.
Primarily based on Friday’s line rushes, Mikey Eyssimont will draw again into the lineup on a 3rd line alongside Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov. Hagens did earn some reps on Boston’s second power-play unit as nicely.
As Bruins followers await Hagens’s debut, Sturm confused that the blue-chip prospect’s presence must also mild a fireplace beneath different forwards who’ve been caught in a rut over the previous couple of months.
“I used to be questioning how they’re considering, and so they’re in all probability considering ‘Holy Moly, there’s one other man arising and that’s going to be a spot.’ It ought to inspire them,” Sturm stated. “Not be like ‘Right here we go once more.’ No, they need to combat for that spot.”
“And that’s good. That’s what we wish. We’re not going at hand it to anybody. Not James, both. He has to earn it, too.”
Even when Hagens received’t be counted on to attempt to defeat the Bolts on Saturday, Bruins ahead Morgan Geekie believes that the younger ahead will get his alternative in brief order.
“He’s an awesome participant — much more talent than I’ve,” Geekie stated of Hagens. He’s going to be nice for a very long time. If you see a participant with that form of talent are available, it speaks for itself and also you don’t must see a lot to know that he’s good with the puck.
“We’re blissful to have him right here and excited to see him get in a sport, each time which may be. All people’s right here for him and to attempt to put him in one of the best place attainable.”
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