The Daily: Hagen Atop Early 2025 Draft Lists; Nichushkin Update

Local fans who attended the World Junior Summer Showcase to check out the Red Wings prospects also got a sneak preview of a slick center who may be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL draft.

Boston College-bound James Hagens is at the top of many early draft lists, mostly on the strength of the 102 points he put up last season when he playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Plymouth. Being the favorite certainly doesn’t guarantee he will land No. 1, but it certainly means he has created a buzz in the scouting community.

He’s a complete player, a bit stronger than he was last season. He’s 5-foot-10, 180ish pounds. Hagens has composure beyond his years, and always seems to know where everyone is on the ice. He could end up having as much impact as Jack Hughes.

Hagens, projected No. 1 pick in 2025 Draft, creates buzz at Summer Showcase https://t.co/KegiqlY6iD

— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) August 4, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Bob Duff wonders whether the Red Wings are putting too much emphasis on past performance standards when it comes players like Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane.

Goalie prospect Trey Augustine could make USA Hockey history if the Americans medal at the World Championships.

Is Jaromir Jagr going to do it Gordie Howe’s way at age 52? He has a Gordie-like plan for what could be his final season in professional hockey.

Red Wings Offseason

Dennis Cholowski has become a symbol of the Red Wings’ poor drafting prior to GM Steve Yzerman’s arrival. Cholowski, 26, has played 117 games for four different NHL teams (Detroit, Seattle, Washington and the Islanders). He hasn’t lived up to expectations. But he is still making a living as pro player. The Islanders think enough as a depth defenseman that they gave him a $250,000 minor league salary on his two-way deal. To read about Cholowski and other Red Wings misses, read Bob Duff’s paywall story subscribe here. To receive a $10 discount on a yearly subscription, use the promo code bob10.

Hockey Now Network

Colorado: Valeri Nichuskin continues to give his side the messiness of his career on a YouTube series. Evan Rawal has the details. Colorado Avalanche. 

Philadelphia: Jonathan Bailey maps out a path for the Flyers to reach the postseason in the 2024-25 NHL season. Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Dan Kingerski writes what needs to go right for the Penguins to find success in the upcoming season. Pittsburgh Penguins.