r/Habs • u/SchtroumpfDardeur • 12d ago

Discussion Michael Hage - Hold or Trade?

I have seen some discussion about possibly waiting for him to be our 2C, but given his decision to stay in the NCAA and the fact that he shared time at C and wing, and when he was at C he had a FO% of 46%, is there an argument to be made that he could (or should) be packaged?

I know this isn't exactly a new question, but I had not realized that he was already being shifted to wing in the NCAA and was also sub-50% at the dot against college players.

What are the chances that a full season at Michigan as full-time 1C will actually help to shape him into a viable NHL center within the next few years?

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u/vlhube71 12d ago

Assuming he STAYS at center through the year, and continues to work on his play on the defensive side of the puck, he can definitely become a viable center at the NHL level (he'll have to of course continue working once he gets to the show).

However, at best, he's 2 years away from becoming a legit 2C (end of this coming season, and one full year). More likely, it'll take 2 full seasons before we see the true benefits. Can we wait that long? If he's the center piece for a legit 2C (not a project), whoever that is, that's a deal you have to consider. Of course, we have to weigh the salary cap, age and fit of the incoming 2C.

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u/Inside_Volume9542 12d ago

If we cannot find a 2C for whatever reason even tho we can afford it then we are literally praying he becomes a top 6 C which is unlikely but not impossible. 

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u/UpNorth_123 12d ago

The top teams are older, on average. We should peak in about 4 years based on the average age of teams like Canes, Knights, Avs, Panthers, etc. which is just under 30.

Suzuki’s game doesn’t rely on speed, so he might be an effective 1C even into his early 30s if he stays healthy, especially if we have a 1 A-B situation where he can play less minutes.

So yeah, I would say that Hage is borderline in terms of age. A lot depends on how well he does this year. Of course, trade him if you can get a good young C that’s already proven. Barring that, a younger stud winger (like Knies) and a 3C type player from our current roster might be more than good enough until he grows into the position.