ChesterNimitz
governed by the principle of calculated risk
- Jul 4, 2002
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I care little what other players accomplished at the same age. Hage passes the eye test. Or at least mine. He will be an impactful player in the NHL.
Prospect Info: [2024 - 21st] Michael Hage, Chicago Steel (USHL), Committed to U of Michigan
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Trabdy2
Registered User
- Nov 30, 2018
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WeThreeKings
Demidov is a HAB
Forechecking is good.. his defensive game needs a lot of work but he's being asked to carry Michigan's entire offense so that comes with some repercussions elsewhere.
This is why he should absolutely go back next year to Michigan. Michigan should have a good class coming in next year which will shift Hage’s role to be more complete and focus more of his defensive game. I am sure the Habs will talk to him and Michigan about that as well.
Redux91
I do Three bullets.
1000%
The *most* impressive thing by FAR with Hage is there's *no one* on that team and he's the youngest guy on the team by almost 2 years in most cases lol
WeThreeKings
Demidov is a HAB
I would think it's 10% he graduates this year. He should be going back for another year and I can't imagine the Habs brass would think differently.
Redux91
I do Three bullets.
Caufield and Hutson and now Fowler will have spent 2 years in NCAA
It's a good enough development path
For Hage
1 more year NCAA
And then 1 year Laval seems appropriate
FrankMTL
Registered User
- Jan 6, 2005
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Yep. I'm convinced he will go back to Michigan for another season in the NCAA. It will be great for his development and he will get much stronger and be more ready for the pro game in Laval or Montreal.
The only issue is that I'm not sure Michigan will be that much stronger next season as they only have Cole McKinney (2025 draft eligible) arriving as a freshman that has some potential, however they do have a few their current better players who will be seniors so who knows.
Hage will be relied upon again and will play heavy minutes.
Grate n Colorful Oz
Pure Laine Hutson
Another draft steal. Overall, I really like the Hugo era of drafting, despite two 1st draft picks I would've went another way.
Grate n Colorful Oz
Pure Laine Hutson
I think he will jump directly to the NHL after two seasons, like both Hutson and Caufield did. Unless he hits a snag, it seems to be this management's MO to bring them over quickly. The better ones, I mean.
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SannywithoutCompy
Registered User
- Dec 22, 2020
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I'll go for a bold take and say he gets some games at the end of next year and then starts in the playoffs (yes, playoffs) for depth scoring.
Your eye test is better than most around here, so I like to hear that he’s passed the eye test for you as well. He checks a lot of boxes for us in this rebuild so the fact he’s trending the way he is bodes really well for us.
Habs Halifax
Loyal Habs Fan
Hage is a hockey player that shows up in the trenches. He's a in your face type and then you look at his production on a team that is not that deep with talent.
A lot of fans evaluate on points and are gullible to it. With Hage, the points are there but the style of game he plays is where the value is. The thing I like to do is nit pick flaws (blind spot check) and it's difficult to do with Hage at the moment. When you combine the hard to nit pick flaws narrative as well as the points to back it up, it's hard not to be gullible to his potential.
A lot of fans evaluate on points and are gullible to it. With Hage, the points are there but the style of game he plays is where the value is. The thing I like to do is nit pick flaws (blind spot check) and it's difficult to do with Hage at the moment. When you combine the hard to nit pick flaws narrative as well as the points to back it up, it's hard not to be gullible to his potential.
Will be interesting to see how Horfoff does. He’s draft eligible this year. Big boy and a C. Has had a decent start to this NCAA career (4gp 1+3) He’s also left handed which is a need for us. If we end up keeping some of 2-3rd rounders he may be on our radar.
Hage should stay in NCAA next year, we will have 2 other 1st pick in this year draft, let him develop in the shadow and I think with better linemate he can put up 50 pts next year, put on 10-15ibs and he can play with the Habs at the end of the year. I don't see him in Laval as top prospects don't spend time in the AHL (Suzuki,Guhle,Slaf,Hutson,Caufield), yes I know Caufield played a dozen game but shouldn't have
Habs Halifax
Loyal Habs Fan
It's very likely he plays another NCAA season after this year. Will he be able to sign at the end of the Habs 25/26 season and burn the 1st year of the ELC like Caufield and Hutson? Possible yes. But then after that, it's up to him to earn his way into a spot. His game looks very solid but we don't know how he will react to less time and space and more physicality.
Lets let Hage destroy the NCAA first.
montreal
Go Habs Go
- Mar 21, 2002
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He's not a in your face type, his effort level is not consistent, he's a high skill guy with outstanding skating/mobility.
Habs Halifax
Loyal Habs Fan
From what I see, he is not afraid of the physical contact. That's a good sign to go along with his offensive skills.
montreal
Go Habs Go
- Mar 21, 2002
- 59,303
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you should feel shame! just kidding, but I have all but 3 of his games this season (and maybe 7 or 8 from the USHL last year) you can see everything he does in the game and the vids aren't too long. Here's some, very interesting player to watch, his vids don't do that well on my channel but I don't get it as he is easily our 2nd best prospect and trending to be a high end top 6 forward.
ahmedou
DOU
- Oct 7, 2017
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Hage has the most points in the NCAA! Ranked 1st! With 24 points! As a rookie with Michigan!
Redux91
I do Three bullets.
ChesterNimitz
governed by the principle of calculated risk
- Jul 4, 2002
- 6,084
- 13,368
Hage’s defensive game is largely his continuous possession of the puck. Generally when he is on the ice the other team is largely in a prevent defence mode.
Harry Kakalovich
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Not good enough for Team Canada...
