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

[Scriptor]

Yet another reminder for folks that player progression isn't a straight line and that the value of "intangibles" like work ethic and dedication to continuous improvement (both qualities that were identified in Farell from the start and likely a major reason why the organization has remained very invested in his development despite the visible limitations and long road ahead of him to make the NHL coming out of college.

Some of us did indeed project that, career derailing injury notwithstanding, Farrell was a good bet to crack the NHL eventually

He's still got a ways to go, but athletes like him eventually find a way.

The question is what Farrell's role with the Habs would be, under the best of circumstances, and whether he would be redundant or not?

I honestly don't believe that Montreal's path to a 25th Stanley Cup hinges on whether Farrell makes it to the NHL as a Hab.

Maybe I'm wrong and, when he does make it to the NHL as a Hab, he propels us to the promised land, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.

 

[Miller Time]

The question is what Farrell's role with the Habs would be, under the best of circumstances, and whether he would be redundant or not?

I'm not sure he breaks through with us... As it stands, it would be tough to see him take a spot given how many similarly small stature forwards are already firmly ahead of him on the depth chart at a similar age.

But he might progress fast enough to give KH the option to trade some assets ahead of him/with greater trade value &/or higher cap hits...

Either way, Farrell rewarding the club's support of him by becoming a bonafide NHL caliber player will give the team an additional asset to leverage.

I honestly don't believe that Montreal's path to a 25th Stanley Cup hinges on whether Farrell makes it to the NHL as a Hab.

Why would anyone believe that

Farrell becoming an NHL regular (in Montreal or elsewhere) is one thing... Viewing him as a catalyst to an NHL team winning a cup is quite another. Heck, McDavid has 1000 career points and hasn't touched a cup yet.

Maybe I'm wrong and, when he does make it to the NHL as a Hab, he propels us to the promised land, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.

Good. Please don't, this board needs to keep as many quality posters around as possible

 

[DAChampion]

I honestly don't believe that Montreal's path to a 25th Stanley Cup hinges on whether Farrell makes it to the NHL as a Hab.

Obviously?

 

[KevSkillz4]

PPG season for his rookie year, that's really really good. With a better team, he would have put more points.

If he can put 50 pts in 35 games next year like Caufield did in same age, that would be a perfect progression.

He is going to be a very good one if he continue to work on his two-way game.

 

[LesCactus]

Can be a center at the NHL level? iirc I believe there was a discussion here that he might not be.

 

[Maitz]

Any good prospects heading to Michigan next year to help him?

 

[HuGo Sham]

The question is what Farrell's role with the Habs would be, under the best of circumstances, and whether he would be redundant or not?

I honestly don't believe that Montreal's path to a 25th Stanley Cup hinges on whether Farrell makes it to the NHL as a Hab.

Maybe I'm wrong and, when he does make it to the NHL as a Hab, he propels us to the promised land, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.

I think it's great to see his development this year, but I think he's trade bait.
As mentioned numerous times by numerous posters, Habs are already undersized on defence and at the forward positions; Montreal should be getting bigger, not smaller.
Very difficult to win 4 playoff rounds with two best forwards under 6 feet - although both are pitbulls + 5'11 carrier, 5'9 hutson, Gally, Newhook

 

[Vachon23]

Can be a center at the NHL level? iirc I believe there was a discussion here that he might not be.

That’s the biggest question and why acquiring a top 6 C is so important

 

[Scriptor]

I'm not sure he breaks through with us... As it stands, it would be tough to see him take a spot given how many similarly small stature forwards are already firmly ahead of him on the depth chart at a similar age.

But he might progress fast enough to give KH the option to trade some assets ahead of him/with greater trade value &/or higher cap hits...

Either way, Farrell rewarding the club's support of him by becoming a bonafide NHL caliber player will give the team an additional asset to leverage.


Why would anyone believe that

Farrell becoming an NHL regular (in Montreal or elsewhere) is one thing... Viewing him as a catalyst to an NHL team winning a cup is quite another. Heck, McDavid has 1000 career points and hasn't touched a cup yet.


Good. Please don't, this board needs to keep as many quality posters around as possible

I'm always rooting for prospects to make it to the NHL, but, after 30+ years of failure in the playoffs (even for our latest SC Final, it was unfortunately a given that we weren't good enough to win the Cup) -- and the first ever assumed rebuild -- I'm not overly excited by things that don't distinctly affect our return to respectability as eventual contenders for a 25th Cup.

I'm just in the don't settle and be happy mode, I guess.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Can be a center at the NHL level? iirc I believe there was a discussion here that he might not be.

I think that he have all tools to become a great C, but if Habs acquire a really really good top 6 C, I would not be surprise if Hage will play RW in top 6 with Habs.

Hage qualities are perfect to being C or a RW.

 

[Scriptor]

I think it's great to see his development this year, but I think he's trade bait.
As mentioned numerous times by numerous posters, Habs are already undersized on defence and at the forward positions; Montreal should be getting bigger, not smaller.
Very difficult to win 4 playoff rounds with two best forwards under 6 feet - although both are pitbulls + 5'11 carrier, 5'9 hutson, Gally, Newhook

But, still, as trade bait, undersized and with no confirmation he can have an impact at the NHL level, what's is worth? A trade for another AHLer? An inconsequential throw-in as part of package with the primary aiming to be nice and give him a chance elsewhere?

Farrell is not really moving the needle for the Habs, not in any form whatsoever, IMO.

 

[Scriptor]

I think that he have all tools to become a great C, but if Habs acquire a really really good top C, I would not be surprise if Hage will play RW in top 6 with Habs.

Hage qualities are perfect to being C or a RW.

Speedy, North/South player with quality shot. Sounds like a winger, TBH. Not that this is a bad thing if he is a top-6 quality winger!

 

[KevSkillz4]

Speedy, North/South player with quality shot. Sounds like a winger, TBH. Not that this is a bad thing if he is a top-6 quality winger!

Yeah, not a bad thing. If Hage is your 5/6th best forward in your team, you have a really really good team!!

 

[Miller Time]

I'm always rooting for prospects to make it to the NHL, but, after 30+ years of failure in the playoffs (even for our latest SC Final, it was unfortunately a given that we weren't good enough to win the Cup) -- and the first ever assumed rebuild -- I'm not overly excited by things that don't distinctly affect our return to respectability as eventual contenders for a 25th Cup.

I'm just in the don't settle and be happy mode, I guess.

Not sure what that actually means though?

Are you saying you won't be able to credit achievements or success in drafting & development until the roster has won a cup?

That's fine if so, but then there's no real point commenting on the drafting & development either way until the cup gets raised, no?

Personally, I look at what's transpired under this management group and feel it's pretty grounded to point out the considerable progress made in those areas (both relative to the Habs last few decades of player development and relative to recent rebuild comparables). Will their success be enough to lead to a cup? Time will tell... And either way it will still require some astute cap and pro asset management success to complement/optimize the draft & prospect capital they've been accumulating.

For now, it's fair to say that the 3 years of rebuilding have been very successful. The next phase requires succes in different areas, but as I've been saying for some time now...

Future is bright

 

[Andrei79]

Speedy, North/South player with quality shot. Sounds like a winger, TBH. Not that this is a bad thing if he is a top-6 quality winger!

I think next year will give us quite a bit on information on Hage. I have no doubt the team will talk to him about his playmaking. Even if he didn't have great linemates, deferring to wingers and creating space for them remains key for any center. Suzuki managed to do it from the fourth line back then. If he doesn't add to his game his role might have to be different than anticipated, as a winger.

 

[salbutera]

 

[Canadienna]

I was hoping he'd get a few NHL games and then spend the year in the AHL next season.

Hopefully he can build on an already pretty dominant year back in Michigan.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

He still has stuff he needs to work on at that level, it's the smart decision IMO. He's legit good, he's worth taking our time with.

 

[Whitesnake]

Any good prospects heading to Michigan next year to help him?

Not a lot....so far. And that's my issue with him going back. THOUGH, it's CLEAR the kid needs to get bigger and stronger and improve a lot his overall game.....BUT with whom will he be able to do that next year? I don't see Michigan being that much better.

The best rookie will be Cole McKinney (at worst 2nd rounder). And Aidan Park. UP front...that's about it. Not bad but not earth shattering either. So Michael will have to perfect his own game and count mostly on himself to do it.

Thing is....it's all great to say that you want to win a Championship. No doubt it should always be your goal. But Michigan is CLEARLY not there next year either. We need players recommitting or players that didn't commit just yet. I mean, usually it's coming from the NDTP and this year is so average compared to the other years....

They'll need obviously a greater contribution from everybody....William Horcoff for starters. Moldenhauer...Leaf prospect...wake up kid. At least just for next year.

 

[waitin425]

Hage going back for a 2nd year is brilliant. He will arrive 26/27 season and give us back to back to back Calders.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I think next year will give us quite a bit on information on Hage. I have no doubt the team will talk to him about his playmaking. Even if he didn't have great linemates, deferring to wingers and creating space for them remains key for any center. Suzuki managed to do it from the fourth line back then. If he doesn't add to his game his role might have to be different than anticipated, as a winger.

Hage is a much more dynamic skater than Suzuki at the same age. Suzuki is one of the few examples of a player who was able to improve his skating from a point that it was a deficit to a point where it’s one of strength. If Hage can achieve a similar level of improvement as he gains strength, this kid will be star.

You can bet on it.

 

[CristianoRonaldo]

Hage going back for a 2nd year is brilliant. He will arrive 26/27 season and give us back to back to back Calders.

Beating McKenna will be easy...

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

Hage going back for a 2nd year is brilliant. He will arrive 26/27 season and give us back to back to back Calders.

No shot he gets a Calder over McKenna

 

[waitin425]

Beating McKenna will be easy...

No shot he gets a Calder over McKenna

McKenna is in the Celebrini tier. Hutson is likely ahead of Celebrini. "No shot" is a little agressive.

Lot's would need to align by then. But if he steps into a 2C role and is paired with Demidov......well he could at the very least be a nominee.

 

[Andrei79]

Hage is a much more dynamic skater than Suzuki at the same age. Suzuki is one of the few examples of a player who was able to improve his skating from a point that it was a deficit to a point where it’s one of strength. If Hage can achieve a similar level of improvement as he gains strength, this kid will be star.

You can bet on it.

Hage improving on his speed to the extent Suzuki did would put him in the upper tier of NHLers.

While that would be nice, what I'm talking is something else entirely and related to understanding how to create offense as a center. His skill is interesting, but the next level to achieve is how to create space for his linemates, something Suzuki could do already at 20 on a fourth line. Hutson is doing it to and likely Demidov will do it next year. Slafkovsky is slowly understanding it.