Pretty nice first point, in his 3rd game after a long layoff.
Very good skating ability. Has decent puck-handling. Has some scoring touch with playmaking and shooting, but I wouldn’t call him a natural scorer. Gives good defensive effort. What I’m most unsure about is his hockey sense. I don’t think it’s that bad, but he plays the game a little out of control sometimes and doesn’t always make the most effective decisions. Combine that with good, not great, offense and I have questions what he amounts to. But I think a decently sized center who has some offense, defense, and skates very well is going to be a first round pick. He might not pan out, but time will tell.
Toronto kid, Chicago Steel, going to Michigan. Seems like the type the Leafs would draft but I kinda think he goes right before the Leafs pick.I really like Hage.
Hoping the Leafs hang onto their 1st (unlikely) and take him with it.
Not a bad comp, but not as big and better skater than Strome. Nick Schmaltz is the best comp I could come up with. He's plays similar to Matt Duchene in how he attacks the net and challenges 1 on 1 but not as fast as Duchene was at his peak.Is Dylan Strome a fair comp? I haven’t watched him a ton, but Hage seems to have a similar package in terms of size and skill. Both a bit soft for their size
He'd have more buzz if he accelerated into college a year early. Power and Fantilli were late birthdays so already playing in college in their draft year, and then Celebrini accelerated. That being said, he was out most of his last season with injury and in general, Hage isn't a 1st overall level talent so it wouldn't have been the wisest decision imo. I dunno about "buzz" necessarily, but I don't think playing in USHL vs. OHL will hurt his draft status. He will warrant a high draft position.At this point playing for the Steel and going to UM is kind of a tried and true path for top Ontario kids. That said, I do wonder if Hage would have even more buzz if he were in the OHL right now. He's clearly a first rounder but I think he’s got a very good chance to go in the top half of the round, maybe even tail end of the lottery, the way he ended the season stronger and stronger. The offensive upside is tantalizing here.
Hockey Canada always has their guys and sticks to it. He definitely won't be handed a spot on any WJC team.He was not asked to join Canada's U18 team. That was certainly a choice. He's never been included in Canada's Program of Excellence, so I wonder if it will be tough sledding him to make a World Juniors team the next couple years.