Boston Bruins Tested Young Forward Line at Training Camp

The Bruins experimented with a youthful trio during recent training camp sessions in Boston.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Hockey

Expressive editorial sports illustration of three hockey players skating together in motion, capturing the energy of a Bruins training session. — Boston Bruins coach Marco Sturm tested a new forward line featuring James Hagens, Fraser Minten, and Marat Khusnutdinov during training camp in Boston. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Boston Bruins paired 19-year-old James Hagens with Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov during training camp. The team aims to develop the group as a cohesive unit for the 2026-27 season.

Why it matters

Coach Marco Sturm is utilizing the preseason to test lineup combinations and infuse the team with youthful energy. This experimentation helps the coaching staff determine how best to integrate developing players into the NHL rotation.

The new forward line averages 21.6 years of age. During the 2025-26 season, Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov logged 326 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time together.

The players

James Hagens

He is a 19-year-old forward currently participating in the Boston Bruins training camp.

Marco Sturm

He is the head coach of the Boston Bruins who is currently experimenting with the team lineup.

Fraser Minten

He is a young forward for the Boston Bruins who previously paired with Marat Khusnutdinov.

Marat Khusnutdinov

He is a Boston Bruins forward who recorded significant ice time with Fraser Minten during the last season.

The details

Marco Sturm placed James Hagens on a line with Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov, tasking Hagens with carrying the puck through the neutral zone and distributing passes into high-danger scoring areas. This alignment builds upon the chemistry Minten and Khusnutdinov demonstrated while playing together during the prior season.

During the 2025-26 season, Minten and Khusnutdinov logged 326 minutes of ice time.
The Bruins held training camp in September 2026.
The team plans to develop the youth trio throughout the 2026-27 season.

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Roadmap

The Bruins' strategy mirrors a league-wide shift toward relying on data-driven line combinations to accelerate the development of young prospects. This approach positions the team to maintain a competitive roster by maximizing the utility of players early in their professional careers.

The emergence of this line suggests a shift in the Bruins' top-nine rotation that could affect fantasy hockey rosters and power-play unit depth. The trio's ability to maintain their high-danger scoring efficiency will be a key performance indicator for the upcoming season.

The takeaway

Developing young lines during the preseason is a proven method for building long-term chemistry and depth. Coaches often use these early evaluations to create balanced rosters that can adapt to the physical demands of a full NHL season.