Prospect Info: [2024 - 21st] Michael Hage, Chicago Steel (USHL), Committed to U of Michigan

[KevSkillz4]

Just for sake of comparison, there were a few pretty good NCAA prospects taken in the 2022 draft.

D + 1 season in the NCAA

3- Logan Cooley- 60 points in 39 games
5- Cutter Gauthier- 37 points in 32 games
13- Frank Nazar- 7 points in 12 games (injured)
14- Rutger McGroarty- 39 points in 39 games
23- Jimmy Snuggerud- 50 points in 40 games

Of note, most of these players played with much deeper rosters than Hage has at U of M.

Cooley played with Snuggerud, Knies and Brock Faber.

McGroarty played with Adam Fantilli, Luke Hughes, Gavin Brindley and Seamus Casey

Cutter Gauthier had the weakest supporting cast in his rookie year at Boston College.

STEAL.

 

[FrankMTL]

Same exercise, but with the 2023 draft:

D + 1 season in the NCAA

2- Adam Fantilli - Went right to the NHL
4- Will Smith- 71 points in 41 games
8- Ryan Leonard- 60 points in 41 games
15- Matthew Wood- 28 points in 35 games
19- Oliver Moore- 33 points in 39 games
21- Charlie Stramel- 8 points in 34 games
23- Gabe Perreault- 60 points in 36 games

I think that Smith's, Leonard's and Perreault's numbers were somewhat skewed as they all played together in the USNDT and joined Boston College together and dominated the NCAA (along with Cutter Gauthier). I have a feeling Perreault and Leonard's production are gonne take a bit of a hit this season without Gauthier and Smith, although they did pick up James Hagens.

For Hage, I would be somewhat satisfied with production like Oliver Moore who is another fast skating center picked around the same range, though I think Hage can surpass those numbers.

 

[SamHabsFan]

wow Will Smith really had a tremendous season last year! of course he had good linemates but, impressive nonetheless

 

[Habby4Life]

Too early to know what they have. Late picks are hit and miss. Could pan out or could be another Mesar.

 

[Redux91]

Just for sake of comparison, there were a few pretty good NCAA prospects taken in the 2022 draft.

D + 1 season in the NCAA

3- Logan Cooley- 60 points in 39 games
5- Cutter Gauthier- 37 points in 32 games
13- Frank Nazar- 7 points in 12 games (injured)
14- Rutger McGroarty- 39 points in 39 games
23- Jimmy Snuggerud- 50 points in 40 games

Of note, most of these players played with much deeper rosters than Hage has at U of M.

Cooley played with Snuggerud, Knies and Brock Faber.

McGroarty played with Adam Fantilli, Luke Hughes, Gavin Brindley and Seamus Casey

Cutter Gauthier had the weakest supporting cast in his rookie year at Boston College.

I've been meaning to figure out a way to post something close to this
Thanks for this bud

Hage has -nobody- on that squad lol
He might put up one of those 60 points seasons next season with a better Michigan team

 

[McGuires Corndog]

if Hage can go PPG or better it’s a real good season

 

[BeliveauFan4ever]

From MGoBlog (free site, and good)

On Michael Hage:

“Michael Hage continued his hot streak. While his goal was mostly a gift from Nick Dowd, Hage took his chance and finished nicely in tight. He now had three goals and three assists in just four games. He’s clearly Michigan’s most gifted forward (and probably player), and he’s showing it.”

 

[KevSkillz4]

if Hage can go PPG or better it’s a real good season

Yes.

That will confirm his top 6 potential. I even see more in him. He have very good offensive talent and hard work in his game.

He have elite attribute, maybe not good like Demidov (like hands and passing ability), but Hage hands and passing ability are top notch aswell!

 

[MasterD]

Too early to know what they have. Late picks are hit and miss. Could pan out or could be another Mesar.

It's a late first round pick, not a late pick at all. Markov was a late pick.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Too early to know what they have. Late picks are hit and miss. Could pan out or could be another Mesar.

Please. We don't even know what Meesar is yet.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Same exercise, but with the 2023 draft:

D + 1 season in the NCAA

2- Adam Fantilli - Went right to the NHL
4- Will Smith- 71 points in 41 games
8- Ryan Leonard- 60 points in 41 games
15- Matthew Wood- 28 points in 35 games
19- Oliver Moore- 33 points in 39 games
21- Charlie Stramel- 8 points in 34 games
23- Gabe Perreault- 60 points in 36 games

I think that Smith's, Leonard's and Perreault's numbers were somewhat skewed as they all played together in the USNDT and joined Boston College together and dominated the NCAA (along with Cutter Gauthier). I have a feeling Perreault and Leonard's production are gonne take a bit of a hit this season without Gauthier and Smith, although they did pick up James Hagens.

For Hage, I would be somewhat satisfied with production like Oliver Moore who is another fast skating center picked around the same range, though I think Hage can surpass those numbers.

I wouldn't bet against Perreault continuing his tear, kid is absolutely brilliant.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

No Prospect recap from yesterday (Oct. 13th):

_____________________________

Prospects in action today:

- Khanin @ 12:30PM ET (he played with the KHL team Dynamo Moscow last game. Barely playing as the extra forward. We'll see if he's still in the line-up)

- Thorpe @ 2PM ET



Here's hoping he keeps it up. We've seen it often enough that our prospects get off to hot starts and then their production stagnates or the pace slows. However, it feels more legit with Hage than it does with the others.

I do not care so much about production but more on how they play. Hage has obvious NHL top 6 talent, now it's all about him becoming stronger and better defensively. I am leaning for him to stay 2 years in college but his play/development will decide that.

 

[Habs]

Please. We don't even know what Meesar is yet.

I do. AHL journeyman and Slaf's best friend.

 

[Habby4Life]

It's a late first round pick, not a late pick at all. Markov was a late pick.

21st is a late first rounder, yes, that’s what I meant.

He isn’t a lock or a blue chip prospect. A gamble, that’s what guys are when they are picked that low in the first.

 

[Habby4Life]

Please. We don't even know what Meesar is yet.

Have you seen anything from him yet?

He isn’t anything special, heck, he’s rated like their 20th top prospect. The guy will be gone in a couple of years when his entry level contract is up.

 

[Habby4Life]

I do. AHL journeyman and Slaf's best friend.

Nailed it!!!

 

[Sagikev]

I wouldn't mind signing Hage if he tears up the NCAA. Taking a step forward by playing in Laval could be a good move, but I doubt he'd want to ride the bus lol so I guess he'll play next season in NCAA as well then join us. Hutson this year, Demidov next and the year after, Hage. Good influx of talent coming up steadily, love to see it.

Have you seen anything from him yet?

He isn’t anything special, heck, he’s rated like their 20th top prospect. The guy will be gone in a couple of years when his entry level contract is up.

Buddy he's 20 years old, first AHL season and by all accounts he has looked good in Laval. He may bust or play elsewhere, but to write off a 20 year old is dumb, let alone a first rounder

 

[Habby4Life]

I wouldn't mind signing Hage if he tears up the NCAA. Taking a step forward by playing in Laval could be a good move, but I doubt he'd want to ride the bus lol so I guess he'll play next season in NCAA as well then join us. Hutson this year, Demidov next and the year after, Hage. Good influx of talent coming up steadily, love to see it.


Buddy he's 20 years old, first AHL season and by all accounts he has looked good in Laval. He may bust or play elsewhere, but to write off a 20 year old is dumb, let alone a first rounder

Seen enough to know he will be AHL fodder.

 

[SlafySZN]

21st is a late first rounder, yes, that’s what I meant.

He isn’t a lock or a blue chip prospect. A gamble, that’s what guys are when they are picked that low in the first.

Where you are picked isn’t what make you a blue chip prospect or not. Hutson was a blue chip prospect and we picked him 62nd overall. Hage is pretty much a lock to become a top 6 guy.

 

[BaseballCoach]

I wouldn't mind signing Hage if he tears up the NCAA. Taking a step forward by playing in Laval could be a good move, but I doubt he'd want to ride the bus lol so I guess he'll play next season in NCAA as well then join us.

I think there is as 50% chance that Hage could be a one and done guy.

 

[montreal]

I wouldn't mind signing Hage if he tears up the NCAA. Taking a step forward by playing in Laval could be a good move, but I doubt he'd want to ride the bus lol so I guess he'll play next season in NCAA as well then join us. Hutson this year, Demidov next and the year after, Hage. Good influx of talent coming up steadily, love to see it.

He needs work on physical tools so I wouldn't be in a rush to sign him, we'll see how the season goes though.

 

[MasterD]

Where you are picked isn’t what make you a blue chip prospect or not. Hutson was a blue chip prospect and we picked him 62nd overall. Hage is pretty much a lock to become a top 6 guy.

I haven't seen a lot, admittedly, but I'm thinking he's a lock for middle 6 if he builds up his physique. Not sure he has 1st line potential, yet.

 

[SlafySZN]

I haven't seen a lot, admittedly, but I'm thinking he's a lock for middle 6 if he builds up his physique. Not sure he has 1st line potential, yet.

2nd line, surely. 1st line we’ll see in time!

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

21st is a late first rounder, yes, that’s what I meant.

He isn’t a lock or a blue chip prospect. A gamble, that’s what guys are when they are picked that low in the first.

What kind of ridiculously absurd logic is this???

Draft position does not make a player a blue chip prospect, their play after being drafted is what makes them a "blue chip prospect". There are blatantly obvious factors that come into play in Hage's situation that affected the first half of his season and the undeniable fact if he played the entire season as he did the second half he would have went considerably higher. Hughes is on record as wanting to move up higher because he did not believe Hage would be there at 21.

Was Hutson not a blue chip prospect last season despite being picked 40 spots lower than Hage?

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Have you seen anything from him yet?

He isn’t anything special, heck, he’s rated like their 20th top prospect. The guy will be gone in a couple of years when his entry level contract is up.

As I have noted previously, there is nothing more certain in hockey than the uncertainty of the rate of development of most prospects. It's an infuriating and frustrating process. I have dealt with this exercise process for over a decade in the sport organization I currently direct.

For what's it worth, and with no skin in the game, I came away more impressed with Mesar's development than I had before. He's gotten faster, stronger and more involved. The offensive skills/vision that persuaded Hughes to draft Mesar in the first round are starting to emerge. His 4 points in the first 2 games were not soft points, but resultant from Mesar's increased positive involvement in the play. That positivity was also reflected in the coaching staff's decision to place Mesar on Laval's first power play unit.

So, in answer to your query as to whether I have 'seen anything from him yet?' I would say, yes. Will Mesar be able to maintain this high level of production? Who knows? But at least it's a promising start. Far better than having to write that he was invisible.

But back to Hage. Now that is a completely different discussion.