Meet the ‘Kid Line’ of Minten, Hagens and Khusnutdinov, ‘Able to Play Freely’

BOSTON –– Fraser Minten, Marat Khusnutdinov and James Hagens zipped up ice on Saturday at Warrior Ice Arena.​

The trio got its first look at game action as the Boston Bruins scrimmaged against each other at training camp. Head coach Marco Sturm has had the youngsters skating together for three days now, and the chemistry is showing.

​“They were pretty good today. They were buzzing. It looks like they had fun. They were controlling the puck pretty good, especially in the O-zone; they had some chances. I think James could’ve scored three or four goals today,” Sturm said. “It was fun to watch.”

Hagens is coming off posting six goals through two games at the Prospects Showcase last week in Buffalo ahead of his first camp with the B’s.

“It feels great. But the NHL is a lot harder. It’s a lot different,” Hagens said. “It’s just being ready.”

The 19-year-old forward, who was the Bruins’ seventh overall pick in 2025, got two NHL regular-season and three playoff games on his resume at the end of last season. Now, he’s battling for a consistent role.

Minten was in a similar spot to Hagens just a year ago. After getting traded from Toronto to Boston in March 2025, Minten participated in the Prospects Showcase leading into his first training camp with the Bruins. He impressed, logged 35 points in his rookie season and signed a seven-year, $50.4 million contract extension on Sept. 8.

“I’m there if he has questions, but I’m not really trying to tell him how to do it. It’s different for everyone. I’m here if he needs anything, but just hoping to play well and help him play well, and we’ll see where it goes from there,” Minten said. “It’s a different position having played a season under your belt than coming in fresh. Just trying to work hard, compete, have fun and be confident out there, and bring Hags along with us.”

Minten and Khusnutdinov got reps together during the 2025-26 campaign, blossoming into versatile and reliable options for Sturm. Hagens is trying to add to that identity, he said.

​“Fast, hardworking, competitive line that’s going to be in your face on the forecheck and making plays. Just guys that are going to be a tough matchup,” Minten said. “It is fun to play with guys your age. We get along well off the ice; we hang out a lot. It’s fun to get out there and compete together. Khusy and Hags are super fast, super smart, super skilled, so can’t really ask for much more.”

The youth movement is apparent. Minten turned 22, and Khusnutidov turned 24, in July; Hagens turns 20 in November. That does not deter Sturm from keeping the three together. Instead, it’s one of the main reasons the combination has been working.

​“It is a lot of fun, especially off the ice getting to know them, being able to crack jokes and whatnot – I think it leads over to on the ice. You’re able to play freely. They’re great players, so it’s just making sure you have your stick on the ice,” Hagens said. “It’s really cool, but wherever [Sturm] puts you, you just have to be ready and prepared to go out there and play. You never know who you’re going to be with or where you’re going to be slotted in, so it’s just really being ready and flexible.”

​The Bruins’ first preseason game is on Sunday at 5 p.m. against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden. Sturm said they are still in the process of determining the groups, but it’s “a possibility, yes” that Minten, Khusnutdinov and Hagens will get a test run when the puck drops.

“It’ll be good if we’re out there together. It felt good to play a little more of a game-like thing out there today and kind of feel some game-like reads. It’d be great to get a real one in together,” Minten said. “It’s very exciting. You get to the end of August, and it’s just like, ‘Okay, I want to play a game that means something’ and put to use those skills we’ve been working on in the summer."

Beyond a new linemate, Minten and Khusnutdinov have gained a new friend, too. They’ve made an effort to connect outside the rink.

“[Hagens] has been around a few times with us in Southie for dinners and hanging out,” Minten said. “Usually we always say we’re going to do dinner, and then it ends up that he gets parked in his sheets after practice. We try to hang out as much as we can.”

Hagens was given the opportunity to defend himself.

“That is true,” he said with a laugh. “I was supposed to meet up with them, but it turns out we all ended up taking naps and nobody could move. It fell through.”

​The levity the “kid line” offers has been beneficial for Hagens, who is trying to take a balanced approach to training camp: going all in without letting the pressure become overwhelming. Minten and Khusnutdinov have been part of that.

“It’s been awesome. [Khusnutdinov] is one of the funniest guys I know. Just being able to be around him, be friends with them, it’s been really great,” Hagens said. “I think a good way to look at it is this is technically your job, but you’re playing the sport you love. Every day you wake up, it’s exciting. You’re happy you’re able to show up to the rink and play hockey for a living. To be able to look at it that way – it’s just exciting.”