Bruins Eyeing Familiar Face in Free Agent Market

Mississauga Steelheads Forward James Hardie Skating in Transition Mid-Game
Mississauga Steelheads

Undrafted and previously drafted college hockey players are beginning to sign with National Hockey League teams as college squads get eliminated from conference tournaments and the NCAA National Tournament. Some of the top players available are finding homes in the NHL. Some of these prospects include Boston College junior Nikita Nesterenko (Anaheim), Arizona State sophomore Josh Doan (Arizona), Bemidji State senior Will Zmolek (Philadelphia), Northeastern junior Devon Levi (Buffalo), and Colorado College junior Hunter McKown (Columbus). The Bruins have been successful recently with signing college players during the spring. Here is another player outside of the college ranks that the Bruins might consider.

James Hardie is a high-scoring forward who attended Bruins Rookie Development Camp this past summer. Hardie is a 21-year-old left wing who has gone undrafted despite showing high-end offensive ability in the Ontario Hockey League. In four seasons with the Mississauga Steelheads, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound winger 127 goals and 115 assists in 252 games.

When draft-eligible in 2020, eliteprospects.com had the following scout on Hardie: “He scored the opener and the game-winner in the final minute. His first goal came off a 2v1 rush, an excellent cross-body catch-and-release to the short side. It was perfectly executed and showed his potential as a scorer. The game-winner was a great play to the net front by Harley, and Hardie was positioned perfectly off to the side to pot the rebound.” Questions about his skating ability and the pandemic hurt Hardie’s chances to be drafted. There is also a concern about whether he can be an effective defensive forward. But the skills are there to score goals in any league.

Now, the time has come to potentially sign with a National Hockey League team. After being overlooked in two NHL Drafts, Hardie is an intriguing player on the free agent list. The Bruins are familiar with the player and could be in the mix to sign Hardie to a deal. The Barrie, Ontario native has totaled 80 points this season as captain of the Steelheads and has consistently been a top scorer in the OHL with 78 goals in the last two seasons.

With another opportunity to hook onto an NHL team approaching, the motivation has certainly developed for James Hardie, and the Boston Bruins could make his dream of playing professional hockey come true. Keep an eye on left-shot left-wing James Hardie on the free agent market.

Season 4. Episode 13. This Is Not the Sway Bruins Benders Podcast

The Bruins continue to get cooked by good teams. John Tortorella’s thoughts on Boston’s diving team, Matt Poitras 5 game goal streak. Time for call up? Jeremy Swayman is bad. Why?DraftKings Sportsbook – Boston’s hometown Sportsbook is LIVE right here in Massachusetts! Bet local on all your favorite sports from the comfort of your own home with DraftKings. To celebrate, ALL new customers will receive up to TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS bets when you sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook using code ITR! You can now bet local on money lines, spreads, props, and more with one of America’s top-rated Sportsbooks – DraftKings Sportsbook!  Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and sign up with code ITR to get up to TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS bets to use now that mobile sports betting is live in Massachusetts. That’s code ITR only at DraftKings Sportsbook. If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, call 800 327-5050 or visit helplineMA.org to speak with a trained specialist, free and confidentially, twenty four seven. Must be 21+. Physically present in MA. Eligibility restrictions apply. Subject to regulatory licensing requirementsEligibility and deposit restrictions apply. Opt in required. Bonus issued as free bets. Terms at draftkings.com/MA.
  1. Season 4. Episode 13. This Is Not the Sway
  2. Season 4. Episode 12. Going Streaking!
  3. Season 4. Episode 11. Have the Bruins Turned a Corner?
  4. Season 4. Episode 10. Monty Out. Sacco In.
  5. Season 4. Episode 9. Pasta Been Hurt

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