These 2025 NHL Draft eligibles impressed most at the World Juniors
James Hagens apparently won’t go down without a fight.
Hagens, No. 2 in FCHockey’s Winter ranking for the 2025 NHL Draft, reminded the scouting community that he’s a true contender to go No. 1 with an impressive performance for Team USA at the World Juniors.
Hagens, who centered the top line on the gold medal entry, impressed at every turn with his speed, vision, and playmaking ability.
“He’s a dynamic playmaker who uses a variety of incredible skill moves and head fakes to create passing lanes for his teammates and space for himself,” FCHockey scout David Phillips said. “His ability to read the game and maneuver the puck into dangerous areas for both his teammates and himself is nothing short of spectacular. Just when it seems like Hagens doesn’t have a play, he’ll drag the puck into his body and deliver a pinpoint pass to a teammate in a prime scoring area.
“His awareness on the ice is impeccable, which is why he is such a highly touted prospect.”
The 18-year-old had nine points (five goals, four assists) in seven games for Team USA, the most from a draft-eligible in the tournament — tied for sixth-most among any American-born skater ever in the showcase.
Further, Hagens averaged 20:20 of ice time per game through the tournament, had 14.6 shot assists per 60 minutes, was 83% in controlled zone exit percentage, 85% in controlled zone entry percentage, and averaged 4.9 rush shot assists per 60 minutes in the tournament.
“He is an elite offensive talent with nearly unlimited upside due to his creativity and vision,” Phillips said. “This leads me to consider Hagens a lock for the top five and firmly in contention for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft.”
Here are the other NHL Draft eligibles who impressed at the World Juniors:
Luka Radivojevic | D | Slovakia
Luka Radivojevic, regarded as a top offensive defenseman in the 2025 draft class, showed more than just a one-way game at the World Juniors. Radivojevic, who averaged 17:24 of ice time per game — third amongst Slovak blueliners — had two assists in five games but impressed more with his ability to play a more complete two-way game than previously seen with Muskegon in the United States Hockey League.
“Radivojevic has shown his offensive upside fully in this tournament,” FCHockey scout Samuel Tirpak said. “He was Slovak’s best puck-mover on the defensive side by quite a margin. Dishing beautiful passes to his forwards and being involved in shot creation from the blueline all tournament long. Definitely a needed boost to his draft stock after a slower start to his draft season. Looking forward to seeing how he progresses as we gear towards the World Under-18 Championship.”
Victor Eklund | LW | Sweden
On a veteran Swedish squad, Victor Eklund found a way to stand out. He finished with a share of fifth in team scoring with six points (two goals, four assists), but more impressively led the entire contingent with an impressive 75.1% Corsi-For percentage. Tenacity has been on display all season long in Eklund, 18, but at the World Juniors he showed he had the skills to back up top-five consideration for the 2025 draft.
“He was a dog-on-the-bone type of player that went into every shift like it was his last, showing speed, tenacity and playmaking ability on a consistent basis,” Tirpak said. “Definitely a stand-out performance from Eklund and one that should push him further up the rankings overall when it gets all said and done.”
Bruno Osmanis | F | Latvia
Bruno Osmanis probably didn’t enter the World Juniors as a household name and, in fairness, likely isn’t leaving one either. But what the 18-year-old was able to accomplish for the upstart Latvians will put him firmly on the radar for the 2025 draft. Though limited to three games of action because of an upper-body injury, Osmanis managed to net four points (one goal, three assists) and a team-leading 42.7% Corsi For mark.
“[Osmanis] was unranked in our previous two editions of rankings but that will not be the case for our next edition,” FCHockey scout Jacob Roth said. “Unfortunately, he got hurt after three games but was super impressive. Drove a lot of offense for Latvia. I would like to see some improvements defensively but overall an impressive showing. I now have him ranked just inside my top 100 for the 2025 NHL draft.”
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