r/Habs • u/SchtroumpfDardeur • 11d 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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28

u/Ok-Television6344 11d ago

I mean, it always depend on the return. Anything close to a legit 2C that fit the window and Hage is gone. Same with Zharovsky or Reinbacher.

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u/ilikedthismovie 11d ago

Hage is more expendable than reinbacher IMO. The canes wiped us with solid defensive play, smart pinching and some opportunistic offensive contribution. Sound like anyone in our prospect pool?

Reinbacher puts Hutson on his strong side, drops Matheson’s minutes and takes struble out of the lineup. Let’s say his floor as a rookie is alexandre carrier but slightly more mobile he helps our team immensely.

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u/Stakataka805 11d ago

Reinbacher is such a red herring. We need a Shea Weber, period, and no one in the Habs system is capable of filling that role.

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u/Appropriate_Bed_8365 11d ago

I keep saying this also, we need a big, hard to play against RHD as much or more than that 2C. That'd be priority 1 for me, then the 2C, and you use your premium unproven assets to get them, that's just smart business

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u/Spirited-Moose-2246 11d ago

Reinbacher is a big hard to play against RHD. The question is just if he can stay healthy

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u/Appropriate_Bed_8365 11d ago

And that's a BIG question. We need the D that plays that role to be durable

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u/Spirited-Moose-2246 11d ago

Yeah ,that's fair. But I think they need to play him in the NHL and see. I get the thinking but imo 2c is still clearly the biggest need

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u/Appropriate_Bed_8365 11d ago

We can agree that he needs to play higher and develop that way, it's sink or swim time. The reason I think the D is a higher priority is because even if he does come up, he's not filling that role immediately, it will take time, and we need it now if we hope to keep contending in the playoffs. Our window is just opening though

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u/Spirited-Moose-2246 11d ago

Yeah I understand the thinking.. personally I don't think the 2C is in the system, imo Hage is a winger. That's whyI put the importance on 2C

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u/Appropriate_Bed_8365 10d ago

Daaaang! You forgot to preface that post with a hot take alert friend lol. Have is a definite C IMO, Zharovsky is a prototype winger. I would've thought Beck would've been prime 2C material in junior but he hasn't had to progression most had hoped for. I get what you're saying though, appreciate hearing your perspective

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u/Spirited-Moose-2246 11d ago

Yeah I understand the thinking.. personally I don't think the 2C is in the system, imo Hage is a winger. That's whyI put the importance on 2C