The Canadiens May Have Another Steal On Their Hands In Michael Hage

Over the past couple of years, the Montreal Canadiens have had some of the best scouting and prospect development in the entire NHL, Ivan Demidov, Lane Hutson, and the list goes on, but it seems among all the young stars they currently have, they may have found yet another diamond in the rough, former 202 first rounder Michael Hage.

Hage was touted as one of the best late first round prospects in the 2024 NHL draft, and eventually fell to 21st overall where the Canadiens ended up picking him up. During his draft year playing for the Chicago Steel of the USHL, Hage was a standout point producer, scoring 75 points in 54 games predominantly showing himself as an elite playmaker, but it was whether he could transfer his skill to a tougher level which was the question.

Following his draft year, Hage committed to the University of Michigan, scoring 34 points in 33 games during his freshman year, but it is what he is doing so far this season which is turning heads. Hage in his sophomore year at Michigan has already become one of Michigan’s most important players, and how he is carrying himself on the ice, and how he is playing is definitely playing to the value of his draft position.

Having scored 17 points in 12 games so far this season, Hage is amongst some of the NCAA’s best talent in point scoring, currently sitting as the joint fourth highest point scorer, and is even producing better than some of the best prospects in hockey such as Gavin McKenna. Hage is a guy who will likely return to college for his junior year to develop even further, but with how he is developing his game as a two way player rather than just an out-and-out playmaker, Hage is a player all Habs fans should be excited about, and is another very exciting prospect in the pipeline.

Had the Habs decided to give Hage a roster spot next season, he is definitely playing to the speed of the NHL, and playing a very hard game which many rookies don’t seem to grasp before entering the National league. Hage is a guy who with good performances and development could be a very intriguing third line centre, or even second line playmaker, however any spot he plays the goals will come. One very interesting route the Habs could take is using Hage as a tool for Demidov’s development. Two guys who love to put the puck in the net, and two guys who love playmaking are exactly the combo Montreal needs to get the best out of two very good prospects, and for Montreal, the exciting possibilities with prospect Michael Hage are endless.