“It’s his first time up here,” the coach said following Friday’s practice at Warrior Arena. “[Thursday] was a very exciting day. [Friday] was the first time where, OK, this is about hockey. We could see it in practice. He just needs time and to get used to our system. That’s the biggest thing. I’m not going to throw that kid in and have him fail. I don’t want to do that. So, he’s on the right track. That’s our next step and we will take it day by day and find the right time.”

If the Bruins do sew up their spot against the Lightning — they’re 0-2-1 vs. Jon Cooper’s squad this season — it’s entirely possible Hagens could don his Black-and-Gold threads for the first time Sunday evening against the Blue Jackets in Columbus. That’s the club’s final road game of the regular season; Boston’s final game is Tuesday against the Devils.

“I’ve got to feel comfortable doing it,” said Sturm. “I’m trying to do the best I can to make the right decision for this team, first of all, for this organization, and, of course, for James. I do want him to play, so I’m just going to take it day by day.”

The logical landing spot for Hagens is left wing on the third line. It’s been a revolving door with Mikey Eyssimont, Alex Steeves, and Lukas Reichel taking turns in the role. Eyssimont held the spot Friday, and it’s likely he’ll be in the lineup against his former team Saturday.

Hagens, meanwhile, worked on the fifth line with Steeves and Reichel, the latter of whom was shipped to Providence following practice.

Sturm said Hagens’s arrival should serve as a spark for the trio.

“I was wondering how they’re thinking and they’re probably thinking, ‘Holy moly, there’s another guy coming up and that’s going to be [his] spot.’ It should motivate them,” said Sturm. “Not be like, ‘Here we go again.’ No, they should fight for that spot. And that’s good. That’s what we want. We’re not going to hand it to anyone. Not James, either. He has to earn it, too.”

Hagens did get some power-play work during his first full practice. He was spotted getting advice from Hampus Lindholm and Fraser Minten.

“It’s awesome when you’re able to get feedback from teammates like that,” said Hagens. “They’re helping you, telling you what they see and me telling them what I see, so it’s great.”

Near the end of the session, Sturm conducted one-on-one drills in which Hagens battled Morgan Geekie and then Jonathan Aspirot. It’s a physically taxing, short-burst exercise.

“You go out there and you try to give it your all,” said Hagens. “It’s a really fun practice.”

It was a small sample size, but Geekie was impressed with what he saw.

“He’s a great player, a lot more skill than I have. He’s going to be a great player for a long time,” said Geekie, Boston’s leading goal scorer with 37. “When you see a player with that kind of skill come in, it speaks for itself and you don’t need to see much to know that he’s good with the puck. We’re happy to have him here and excited to see him get in a game, whenever that may be. Everybody’s here for him [to help] try to put him in the best position possible.”

Hagens is still living on campus at Boston College and is juggling three classes — Engaging in Catholicism, Brain and Mind Behavior, and Cold War — as he starts his professional career.

. . .

Defenseman Jordan Harris is the Bruins’ nominee for the King Clancy Award, given to the player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community.” Harris, who grew up in Haverhill and played at Northeastern, runs “Harris’ Huskies,” a mentoring program that connects youth with members of the NU hockey team.

Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him @globejimmcbride.