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

[WeThreeKings]

Fine to go back, it's the right choice. Going back to Michigan isn't the best.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

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.

I watched Hage enough to know that his play making is one of the underrated parts of his game. Hage’s speed , lateral mobility creates time and space for both himself and his linemates. Hage has the vision to find his linemates. If he gains that extra step he will be regarded as the steal of the past draft and will be an elite offensive player at the NHL level.

Hughes moved up in the draft to be in a position to draft this kid.

We got lucky that other teams weren’t as high on Hage.

Sometimes it truly is better to be lucky than good.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

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.

I suspect Habs will get a legit 2C in the summer. Hage probably should play a full season in the AHL before coming up anyways. But when if he comes early he'll probably be relegated to the third line for his rookie season

 

[montreal]

Ever since the NCAA announced the up coming rule change with CHL players, there have been rumors that Michigan landed someone really big from the CHL. One name that was thrown around on the prospect board in the CHL rule change thread, was Martone but then nothing for the past couple months. Just saw a new tweet saying Martone will go to Michigan but it looked fake since it said McKenna will join him.

 

[montreal]

For Hage I love it as he certainly had his struggles in the 2nd half and needs more time to just add mass and strength. He's going to need to be more consistent with the effort when he moves up but you have someone with elite skating and high end skill so there's something there for sure. Early on I have said I considered him the Habs #2 prospect to start the year since Hutson was in the NHL but his second half is making me think I had it wrong and perhaps got carried away.

One things for sure, in my all years of watching NCAA Freshman, he had a much bigger impact then I was expecting, certainly was headed for a massive season and still ended up having a very good one numbers wise, very similar to Caufield imo, the skill is there but at times his effort wasn't always 100%. Next year should be interesting as hopefully he can have a good off-season and kick ass next year, help Team Canada, get Michigan back to the NCAA tournament, join Laval for the playoffs.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I watched Hage enough to know that his play making is one of the underrated parts of his game. Hage’s speed , lateral mobility creates time and space for both himself and his linemates. Hage has the vision to find his linemates. If he gains that extra step he will be regarded as the steal of the past draft and will be an elite offensive player at the NHL level.

Hughes moved up in the draft to be in a position to draft this kid.

We got lucky that other teams weren’t as high on Hage.

Sometimes it truly is better to be lucky than good.

Agreed on much but not all of what you are saying here.

Hage's development isn't dependent on him gaining an extra step as he already has high end NHL speed. Obviously it wouldn't hurt to get even faster but that is not an obstacle that is impeding his progress in any way at all. He needs to learn to play more in traffic and make significant improvement in his small area skills as well as bulk up a little. Mostly he just needs to start learning more pro tactics and learn how to implement them in game situations. Like all kids his age he has a ton to learn about board work, pass receptions, puck protection and how to create, manipulate and maintain time/space on the ice as well as where to be away from the puck.

He is a relatively raw player with great tools and we just have to be patient as he learns how to use them more effectively. I loved the pick at the time as I was hoping we could find a way to select him and I still love the pick.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Ever since the NCAA announced the up coming rule change with CHL players, there have been rumors that Michigan landed someone really big from the CHL. One name that was thrown around on the prospect board in the CHL rule change thread, was Martone but then nothing for the past couple months. Just saw a new tweet saying Martone will go to Michigan but it looked fake since it said McKenna will join him.

Prospect board seemed to indicate that Michigan is trying to get McKenna.

 

[Frank Drebin]

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

you mean back to back to back

 

[ChesterNimitz]

For Hage I love it as he certainly had his struggles in the 2nd half and needs more time to just add mass and strength. He's going to need to be more consistent with the effort when he moves up but you have someone with elite skating and high end skill so there's something there for sure. Early on I have said I considered him the Habs #2 prospect to start the year since Hutson was in the NHL but his second half is making me think I had it wrong and perhaps got carried away.

One things for sure, in my all years of watching NCAA Freshman, he had a much bigger impact then I was expecting, certainly was headed for a massive season and still ended up having a very good one numbers wise, very similar to Caufield imo, the skill is there but at times his effort wasn't always 100%. Next year should be interesting as hopefully he can have a good off-season and kick ass next year, help Team Canada, get Michigan back to the NCAA tournament, join Laval for the playoffs.

I see Hage as our third best prospect after Demidov and Fowler. I have no concerns about Hage’s less than sterling second half. In the NCAA, Hage was playing against players who were 3 to 4 years older than him. There’s no question Hage started to get ground down by the weight and strength of the opposition he faced. But this kid’s elite skills are unquestionable.

When Hage matures physically, he will be star for the Canadiens.

 

[Benstheman]

I see Hage as our third best prospect after Demidov and Fowler. I have no concerns about Hage’s less than sterling second half. In the NCAA, Hage was playing against players who were 3 to 4 years older than him. There’s no question Hage started to get ground down by the weight and strength of the opposition he faced. But this kid’s elite skills are unquestionable.

When Hage matures physically, he will be star for the Canadiens.

I love him to and I'm sure he is gonna make it as a top 6 forward, whether it's at center or wing.

Though I would put him 4th behind Demidov, Reinbacher and Fowler.

 

[Whalers Fan]

Ever since the NCAA announced the up coming rule change with CHL players, there have been rumors that Michigan landed someone really big from the CHL. One name that was thrown around on the prospect board in the CHL rule change thread, was Martone but then nothing for the past couple months. Just saw a new tweet saying Martone will go to Michigan but it looked fake since it said McKenna will join him.

The new coach -- Brandon Naurato -- has been a disappointment in recruiting talent since he replaced Mel Pearson a couple of years ago. Adam Nightingale at Michigan State has been recruiting circles around Naurato.

 

[Favster]

I heard a rumour that Gavin McKenna and Porter Martone might be going to Michigan next season. Not sure how valid it is but that would be a pretty insane line with Hage. Hopefully it's true.

 

[SuzukiSZN]

I heard a rumour that Gavin McKenna and Porter Martone might be going to Michigan next season. Not sure how valid it is but that would be a pretty insane line with Hage. Hopefully it's true.

There’s at least Cole Mckinney who is arriving in Michigan for sure. A good two-way center with offensive abilities for this summer’s draft. Not elite but it’s some help.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Great decision. Isn't ready for the NHL and maybe not the AHL and the AHL will be tight, so good to go back.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

The new coach -- Brandon Naurato -- has been a disappointment in recruiting talent since he replaced Mel Pearson a couple of years ago. Adam Nightingale at Michigan State has been recruiting circles around Naurato.

Wonder what he is doing wrong because why would any athlete go to Michigan State over Michigan otherwise?

 

[sampollock]

He is 3 years away from the big club
Thus habs need a centre

 

[ChesterNimitz]

He is 3 years away from the big club
Thus habs need a centre

Thus god created free agency.

 

[OldCraig71]

Thus god created free agency.

Who should we target to fill the 2C spot?

 

[CharleyHorse]

Thus god created free agency.

sadly, the devil created high taxes

 

[montreal]

Wonder what he is doing wrong because why would any athlete go to Michigan State over Michigan otherwise?

Adam Nightingale was the head coach of the USTNDP, so guys that played for him there, opted to play for him again at Michigan St.

 

[Whalers Fan]

Adam Nightingale was the head coach of the USTNDP, so guys that played for him there, opted to play for him again at Michigan St.

That is certainly a part of it. Trey Augustine actually changed his commitment from UM to MSU after the Spartans hired Nightingale. However, Naurato hasn't been getting many top recruits from elsewhere, either. Hage has been his best recruit by far.

 

[Scriptor]

He is 3 years away from the big club
Thus habs need a centre

Let's say he is three years away from the Big club; one more year in the NCAA, with a late season addition to the Laval roster, one year as a leading C in Laval and the third year up with Montreal as a rookie.

I doubt -- especially if he plays at C -- that he is an impact player immediately as a rookie in the NHL.

That impact will be felt in year four, if we're lucky, or year five, most likely.

I'd believe a bigger impact a little faster if he played wing instead of C

Montreal needs more than just a stop-gap C because, if Hage is the eventual 2C of the future, I don't expect he becomes that yet in three years.

Hage might be an impact 2C in the first year of an extension to Suzuki.

Need a 2C for four or five years that could slide down to 3C afterwards.

 

[montreal]

That is certainly a part of it. Trey Augustine actually changed his commitment from UM to MSU after the Spartans hired Nightingale. However, Naurato hasn't been getting many top recruits from elsewhere, either. Hage has been his best recruit by far.

Isaac Howard is another, he left UMD after his Freshman year to join Nightingale.

 

[montreal]

I heard a rumour that Gavin McKenna and Porter Martone might be going to Michigan next season. Not sure how valid it is but that would be a pretty insane line with Hage. Hopefully it's true.

I saw it on twitter the other day but said that can't be true as I would think the big names in the media would have been all over this as we are talking about the most hyped prospect since Crosby by the next 12-18 months. Getting McKenna, which makes a ton of sense that he would go the NCAA route next year vs the CHL since he's dominating, but what a huge deal that would be for Michigan who just did not look very good this year and will need a lot of help.

 

[schwang26]

sadly, the devil created high taxes

And the Leafs and Sens