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

[Rapala]

Pacioretty went straight to the AHL from his draft year and returned there despite a few call-ups with Montreal. We're talking about one of the best goal-scorers in the NHL during his years passed in Montreal. It wouldn't hurt a strong NCAA player to play at a slightly higher level in the AHL before moving up to the NHL.

Every player has a different path to the NHL, if they are ever to make it there. trying to make a cookie cutter approach to development will ruin some potential careers, IMO.

Still, I don't think there will be anything wrong with seeing Hage start in Montreal after two years in the NCAA, let's say, only to be sent to the AHL after 20 games or so in order to work on anything that might need polishing from what we'd seen of him in those 20 games at the NHL level.

I guess what I'm saying is I don't believe that sending Hage to the AHL next season will advance him any quicker to the NHL than sending him back to college. The players at his level don't seem to be struggling at all making the jump after 2 seasons of college hockey. Unless perhaps you have a specific developmental reason for doing so the coaching in the NCAA has proven to be more than adequate when promoting these players.

 

[McGuires Corndog]

Mesar looks nothing like Owen Beck in terms of NHL readiness never mid the players around him who we passed up on. I'm not sure how long it may take him to finally take that next step in Pro hockey but his trajectory is definitely on a different path. Kind of Sean Farrell(ish) at this point. Note Farrell is just now picking it up.

Historically offensive players that aren’t putting up near PPG numbers in the AHL by their 21yr old season don’t pan out. Farrell’s recent hot streak is more of an outlier than any real indication he’s turned a corner. I don’t place any value on him at this stage.

It’s pretty safe to say Mesar will bust, based on historic comparisons.

 

[Scriptor]

I guess what I'm saying is I don't believe that sending Hage to the AHL next season will advance him any quicker to the NHL than sending him back to college. The players at his level don't seem to be struggling at all making the jump after 2 seasons of college hockey. Unless perhaps you have a specific developmental reason for doing so the coaching in the NCAA has proven to be more than adequate when promoting these players.

I agree that sending him back to the NCAA is not necessarily a bad idea, but I am worried that he is one of the better players on a weak team and might end up developing bad habits as he tries to do to much on his own.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

I agree that sending him back to the NCAA is not necessarily a bad idea, but I am worried that he is one of the better players on a weak team and might end up developing bad habits as he tries to do to much on his own.

That may be true. Look at Nikita scherbak. Maybe he develops better habits if he went straight to Everett instead of Saskatoon. As for Hage, I'm done either way. As rating in the NCAA has its benefits for a young kid. He has more time to work on the physical side of things and will be playing top line minutes at a level he can dominate in. Whereas with Laval, he's probably looking at middle six duties and PP2 time if he's lucky. The one NCAA player I think really has outlived the NCAA after this year is Fowler. He should start in Laval next season imo

 

[HuGort]

I guess what I'm saying is I don't believe that sending Hage to the AHL next season will advance him any quicker to the NHL than sending him back to college. The players at his level don't seem to be struggling at all making the jump after 2 seasons of college hockey. Unless perhaps you have a specific developmental reason for doing so the coaching in the NCAA has proven to be more than adequate when promoting these players.

Hage still have some dips in his game to work out. Sending him to Laval next year is mistake. No need to rush him.

 

[Scriptor]

I still think that a second year in the NCAA is good. If he plays in Montreal to start the season the following year -- and still needs to work out kinks in his game -- you can then send him down to Laval to round out his game under supervision of the Habs' coaching staff, including the skills coaches.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I still think that a second year in the NCAA is good. If he plays in Montreal to start the season the following year -- and still needs to work out kinks in his game -- you can then send him down to Laval to round out his game under supervision of the Habs' coaching staff, including the skills coaches.

He needs a 2nd NCAA year, he's slowed down a bit, there's more bulk he needs to put on his frame and you'd want to see him be legitimately dominant every night before moving over. Caufield and his 2nd NCAA was great for him. Look at how much Will Smith is struggling and he's a tier higher a prospect than Hage.

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

Hage needs another year in college hes a prospect im high on but no need to rush him