Ever since the Islanders won the draft lottery, there has been questions about if they will try to find a way to bring James Hagens, a Long Island native, home. And as we get closer to the draft, it seems like there is a distinct possibility that could become a reality.
It’s well known at this point that the Islanders plan to select Matthew Schaefer with the first overall selection, but the Islanders might may not be done there. The other team who jumped in the lottery, the Utah Mammoth, is seemingly open to trading their 4th overall selection. And it’s been reported that Mathieu Darche had conversations with Utah GM Bill Armstrong at the NHL Draft Combine. Though we don’t know specifics, one could surmise that they could’ve been talking about a framework for a potential trade when Utah is on the clock at 4th overall.
We know Hagens was the consensus number 1 prospect coming into the season, and has somewhat tumbled in draft rankings, but the Islanders have an opportunity here that would be able to shape their future and franchise as a whole for the next decade plus. Throughout the entire draft process, and since the Islanders secured their Draft Lottery win in May, Hagens has publically expressed his desires to play for the Islanders, and his hope to raise the Stanley Cup for his hometown team. And if you’re owner Scott Malkin, you have to realize the opportunity you have from a hockey perspective and from a business perspective. On the ice, Hagens, who notably is close friends with Islanders prospect Cole Eiserman, could create a dynamic duo with him, plus other young players like Calum Ritchie and Simon Holmstrom. They could usher in a new young core for the Islanders early in Mathieu Darche’s new GM tenure. On the business side, it’s a promotional dream for the Islanders if they managed to acquire James Hagens. Fans on Long Island are currently driving around with bumper stickers saying Bring Hagens Home, and if they do, he will instantly be a beloved player for the Islanders. Though he is expected to return to Boston College for one more season in the NCAA, make no mistake, the Islanders and James Hagens are a complete match made in Heaven—just not at first overall.
What could it cost? We don’t exactly know, but one could imagine that Utah would want to acquire one of the Islanders current younger NHLers, one of Noah Dobson, Alex Romanov, or Simon Holmstrom. The 42nd overall selection in the 2nd round seems like a given to be dealt if they strike a deal, in addition to that, the First Round pick the Islanders acquired from Colorado in the Brock Nelson trade. If that’s what it takes, the Islanders will think long and hard about making a deal with Utah to acquire the 4th overall pick and select Hagens. And in the fall of 2026, we could see Matthew Schaefer, James Hagens, Calum Ritchie, and Cole Eiserman all playing on Long Island.
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