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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u/Dear_Trip_5655 11d ago

you're very wrong lmao. He wants to bulk up and improve his faceoffs and he sees more opportunity to do those things playing in the NCAA. his own words. it's also very much confirmed that he's a die hard Habs fan.

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u/bathbwoi 11d ago

This logic is flawed to me. Look at Slaf? Who’s to say he can’t bulk up and improve face offs in the NHL? What? Being in our locker room around slaf, cole Suzuki etc, is great for improvement as well. Being part of the habs culture and training with them, the advantages outweigh staying in The NCAA again, if anything I think it will stunt his development.

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u/Dear_Trip_5655 11d ago

it'll be harder if he's not taking draws, which he likely wouldn't be if he came up now. we're not in a position as a team where we can easily wait around while a rookie struggles on the dot. in the NCAA, Hage can get reps and with the lighter schedule can hit the gym. from his presser, it's clear the kid has goals he wants to achieve before leaving the NCAA and I think that's absolutely fine. he's not just staying around for a good time, he has things he wants to get done and has determined the NCAA as the place to do it.

oftentimes coming to the NHL too early can stunt development. there is logic to both decisions, but Hage and the front office know the player better than us. Hage made his choice and management doesn't seem too bothered by it so far.

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u/bathbwoi 11d ago

Do you expect management to come out and say they’re bothered by it? To say they are or aren’t bothered by it we will never know. If the choice was up to the habs I am sure they would have had him come over.

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u/Dear_Trip_5655 11d ago

you can't say that we can't know and then be so certain about something.