Michael Hage: A comment that calls his position into question

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Michael Hage: A comment that calls his position into question
Credit: onhockeytv

The Canadiens were confident that Michael Hage, after two years in college, would choose to sign his first professional contract in the coming months.

And as you know, that didn't happen.

Instead of competing at the next training camp to play for the Habs right away (or to go to Laval, at worst), the plan now is for him to return to Michigan for a third season.

Has this changed the Canadiens' plans? I'm convinced it has.

After all, it was clear that, even if his chances of making the team weren't 100% this fall, he would have had every opportunity in the world to break into the Canadiens' lineup.

Does this hint at something in the relationship between the Canadiens and their prospect? Does this explain why the center's name is being mentioned in trade rumors?

Because let's be honest: his name might be out there because the Habs want to improve in the short term… but his name might also be out there because the Habs might want to capitalize on his market value.

And reading Corey Pronman's article, one wonders how Hage is viewed in Montreal in terms of talent.

I say this because, in an article on The Athletic, the prospect expert made a comment that speaks volumes about Hage's standing among the Habs' prospects.

I say this because, according to him, the Canadiens' biggest organizational need (not just in the NHL, but across the entire system) is at center.

He says the Habs have talent on the wings, but the team still needs to find a top prospect who plays center and has the vision to consistently feed the puck to their elite wingers.

We can all agree that Michael Hage's fans see that in him.

Did Pronman say this because he doesn't see Michael Hage as that top-tier center who can one day support Nick Suzuki in the team's pecking order? The question remains.

I don't know what dig was aimed at Hage (not a second-line center worthy of the name, his future isn't in Montreal, or something else), but there's one here. Pronman clearly isn't as sold on the Hage project as many others are.

While everything was going well for Hage a few months ago, it seems his star is starting to fade. It's hard to see that as good news for the Canadiens right now.


In a nutshell

– Worth a read.

– Jordan Binnington in Florida?

– Connor Hellebuyck to Salt Lake City?

– Hold off on sending Adam Fox elsewhere just yet.

– Robert Thomas: Don't count on a trade.

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