Should the Chicago Blackhawks draft Michael Misa or James Hagens?

As the Chicago Blackhawks close out another disappointing season, the spotlight shifts to the NHL Draft Lottery to see who will earn the No. 1 overall pick.

According to Tankathon, the San Jose Sharks currently hold the best odds at drafting first overall. For the Blackhawks, they will have to decide on who to draft.

One thing is certain--they don't need another defenseman.

Chicago's blue line is already loaded with young talent. Players like Kevin Korchinski, Artyom Levshunov, Alex Vlasic, Sam Rinzel, Wyatt Kaiser, and Louis Crevier all bring promise to the organization.

Even though Korchinski has struggled of late, there's no reason for the Blackhawks to add another top-tier defenseman like Matthew Schaefer, who is projected to go in the top five.

What they need is a forward who can thrive alongside Connor Bedard.

The question is: Who will that be? Two names are in the conversation for the Hawks: Michael Misa and James Hagens.

Misa's Scoring Power

Michael Misa made history in 2022 when he was granted exceptional status in the OHL.

He is the sixth player in league history and eight in CHL history to receive the honor, joining names like Connor McDavid, Connor Bedard, and John Tavares. This season, Misa scored a jaw-dropping 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) in 65 games for the Saginaw Spirit, tying for the fourth-most points in a single season in the OHL in the 21st century.

Misa is a two-way center with elite speed, sharp hockey IQ, and a goal scorer. He plays fast, makes quick decisions, and can potentially be a 40-goal scorer in the NHL.

However, Misa's two-way game still needs development. While he's not Alex Ovechkin, his production in the OHL shows the potential to grow into one of the NHL's top goal scorers.

Hagens' All-Around Impact

Next up is James Hagens, the Boston College phenom.

Hagens has made an immediate impact in his freshman year at Boston College, showcasing his elite playmaking and skating skills that have positioned him as a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old had 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games played this season.

Before his college hockey career, Hagens played for the U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP), where he recorded 187 points over two seasons, which is the fifth-highest total in program history. In the 2023-24 season alone, he tallied 102 points (39 goals, 63 assists) in 58 games played, ranking seventh all-time in a single season.

He followed that with a standout performance at the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship, posting 22 points (9 goals, 13 assists) in seven games to set a new tournament record, earn MVP honors, and helped Team USA secure a silver medal.

Hagens' vision, speed, acceleration, and hockey IQ make him a great option for the Blackhawks as they look to bolster their young forward depth and provide support for Connor Bedard.

Who do the Blackhawks need the most?

The Blackhawks entered the season with a lot of veterans on their roster. Now, they're one of the youngest teams in the NHL. This next pick in the 2025 NHL Draft will be critical as they continue their rebuild.

Both Misa and Hagens bring elite talent to the table. Misa offers high-end scoring and a nose for the net, while Hagens brings elite skating, passing, and on-ice intelligence.

If Chicago wants a player who can consistently light the lamp and give opponents headaches alongside Bedard, Misa might be the better fit. But if they're looking to build a line that controls possession and generates odd-man rush, Hagens may be the ideal choice.

Either way, this will be the biggest challenge for the Blackhawks heading into the 2025 NHL Draft.

So the question remains: Should the Blackhawks draft Michael Misa or James Hagens?

Do they want a pure goal scorer like Misa to finish off Bedard's feeds? Or do they prefer a dynamic playmaker like Hagens who can match Bedard's pace and creativity?