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

[Natey]

If he continue to improve and hit his ceilling futur top 9 look really good.
Slaf-Suzuki-Caufield
Dach-Hage-Demidov
Newhook-Kapanen-Roy

Roy? If Roy continues to look like he has this pre-season, he'll be in Europe before long. Woof.

 

[26Mats]

If he continue to improve and hit his ceilling futur top 9 look really good.
Slaf-Suzuki-Caufield
Dach-Hage-Demidov
Newhook-Kapanen-Roy

Hopefully Laine is part of the future!

Then you have Kapanen - Hage - Newhook/Roy/Beck fighting for last top 9 spot.

 

[CHwest]

Right, he didn't have 4 points and completely dominate in his first post draft game. You're correct.

Mesar, I am going to start referring to him as trigger.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Lol pot and kettle

(Not you, the poster)

 

[Natey]

Mesar, I am going to start referring to him as trigger.

There's no trigger. People can like and dislike who they choose. But there's no need to lie about things to make a point, lol.

 

[Rapala]

Not the same caliber of prospect. Hage should have gone top 15 and that's based on a season that started slow due to tragedy and injury recovery.

Mesar was a legit late first rounder.

I think Team Canada are insane if they don't look at this kid very very closely.

 

[Yasuo]

There's no trigger. People can like and dislike who they choose. But there's no need to lie about things to make a point, lol.

Mesar is a small soft winger who is invisible most of the game. Even if Hage had 0 point but played like he has during the first 2 games he would still look more promising. You know actual skill matter more than point total in lower league. Like being 6"1, good shot, good vision and have you seen his zone entry? Mesar never looked that promising. Also scoring in the Ncaa is harder than the ohl so his 4 points in 2 game are more impressive

 

[Ozmodiar]

Hopefully Laine is part of the future!

Then you have Kapanen - Hage - Newhook/Roy/Beck fighting for last top 9 spot.

Hage will be a top 6 player.

 

[SlafySZN]

Mesar is a small soft winger who is invisible most of the game. Even if Hage had 0 point but played like he has during the first 2 games he would still look more promising. You know actual skill matter more than point total in lower league. Like being 6"1, good shot, good vision and have you seen his zone entry? Mesar never looked that promising. Also scoring in the Ncaa is harder than the ohl so his 4 points in 2 game are more impressive

He’s so good at controlling a zone entry like Eichel. So clean.

 

[waitin425]

Hopefully Laine is part of the future!

Then you have Kapanen - Hage - Newhook/Roy/Beck fighting for last top 9 spot.

I hope Laine is part of the solution as well.

If Hage can somehow equal Dach and be a top 6 player but, slot on our 3rd line for a few years until he is 25ish and undergo a replacement cycle of some of our stars, it is a perfect pipeline of talent.

Let's look way ahead to '27-'28. Hage is D+4 and on his 2nd or 3rd year of ELC, and has continued on his upward trajectory.

Forward group (age in parantheses)

Slaf (23) - Suzuki (28) - Caufield (26)
Laine (29) - Dach (26) - Demidov (21)
Newhook (26) - Hage (21) - Kapanen (24)
Heineman (26) - Beck (23) - Tuch (25)

I understand some players may still be here (ie Roy) while others who are not here we may sign or trade for. It is a luxury to have such a deep forward group.

Our top 6 has a pretty projectable ceiling. If that third line hits ceiling, we will be incredibly difficult to match up against. Hage at age 23-24 could be a replacement for an aging out Suzuki or Laine.

This is how you build a consistent contender and playoff team. Our next 10+ years will be some return to glory for us. I am confident of it.