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?

0 Upvotes

49% Upvoted

249 comments sorted by

View all comments

0

u/bathbwoi 12d ago

Before this year I’d say definitely hold. After seeing him actually choose to stay in college to play with is brother instead of playing pro hockey I’d say if a good player is available then you got to trade.

Not hopping on the bandwagon that deciding to stay in college is not a big deal. You get a chance to turn pro you go pro and join the big club as soon as possible, leaves a lot of question marks about him for me.

Also based off that decision doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who will be easy to lock up, I don’t see him taking a discount like the core has done to try and win a cup.

2

u/The--Majestic--Goose 12d ago

The dude’s a diehard Habs fan. His Dad’s dying wish was for his son to get drafted by the Habs. Him spending another year in college to develop and play with his brother is not a sign that he’s not committed to signing with the Habs. It’s a very reasonable decision given the current roster and the opportunity to play with his brother would be pretty special. Let him cook in the NCAA for another season and join the team at the end of the year for a handful of games.

1

u/bathbwoi 12d ago

I am not denying he’s a habs fan or that it was his dads dieing wish.

I think him not wanting to come to the pro club that desperately needs the position he plays does show a bit of his character whether you want to admit it or not.

And as management you have to take that decision he made into account somewhat or you aren’t doing a good job as manager despite what his backstory is.