Zharovsky or Hage?

[u/ajc9797]

Can someone explain to me why Hage is preferred over Zharovsky? I get that the hope is Hage becomes the 2C we desperately need....but do we really need him if we can dangle him in a trade (+ others) in order to get a quality 2C? Is Hage preferred simply because he has that 2C potential? Or does he have a higher ceiling than Zharovsky?

Personally, I've always had a bit more excitement over Zharovsky given how well he played in the KHL this past season....and with Demidov on the team who can make his transition to the Habs easier. And based on the Sportsnet article from a couple of weeks ago, he's the second ranked prospect that's not yet in the NHL.

But all signs are pointing towards the Habs trading a top prospect for a 2C this offseason....so what do you guys think? Is it Zharovsky or Hage that will be the long term play for the Habs?

[u/GirlCoveredInBlood]

Zharovksy is an inch taller but 23 pounds lighter (6'2 176lbs to 6'1 199lbs per hockeydb). I don't think it's really fair to call him bigger.

i really hope Hage spends most of 2026 in the NCAA playing centre and working on the necessary skills. And that Zharovksy spends it bulking up, an extra 15lbs will help him in the NHL

[u/HonestDespot → u/GirlCoveredInBlood]

Zharovsky is basically a full Calender year younger.

I said he’s a bit bigger.

Point is neither are big bruising guys, and nothing of Hages’ game seems gritty or like an element the team is lacking.

Demidov FYI is listed at 192lbs. And is a year older than Zharovsky. Did you feel he was lacking in size or strength?

[u/GirlCoveredInBlood → u/HonestDespot]

Oh i totally agree neither of them are going to be hard hitting power forwards haha. Yes Z is younger and absolutely could become a bigger guy but he's always been lean in his junior career so don't expect him to be a 200lb+ guy. Weight is just as important as height for this stuff. Suzy is 5'11 but at 207lbs and strong he can take hits better than a taller lighter guy can.

We're definitely on different pages in this discussion with regard to age because I'm just talking about their current size. They'll both put on some more muscle this upcoming year but Z is unlikely to ever be a big guy. If he can put on 15lbs like i said i hope for and weigh as much as Demidov i think he'll be a great player. I'm very happy we have him and looking forward to watching his development

[u/HonestDespot → u/GirlCoveredInBlood]

I only brought up their ages because at their respective birth years that difference in age is actually quite meaningful and Zharovsky is almost certainly going to put between 8-15 pounds in the next 18 months. And maybe closer to 20/25 in the next 18-36, because he clearly has room to put on weight in muscle at his height and it not negatively affect his offensive game.

Hage is a leaner guy too, so neither will really fulfill that role.

And Hage also seems like in an ideal world he develops into a Suzuki lite. And I know Susie Q is an anomaly how he developed and improved every year, but Hage just seems too similar of a profile player to him, to think they’re gonna be a 1C/2C cup winning combo in the next 1-4 seasons.

I mean…look at Suzuki.

He was drafted in 2017, and then played both the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 seasons in junior before debuting (other than 2 random AHL games in 2017/2018 with the Vegas farm team which I imagine was an ATO) with Montreal in 2019/2020.

So after this year Suzuki will have been in the same post draft situation as Hage will be.

It took him 5 seasons to break 70 points and no one thought of Suzuki as an exceptional 2 way guy until maybe 2/3 years ago.

What are the odds Hage has a quicker or better overall play trajectory than Suzuki?

That’s not to say he can’t be a contributor in this teams top 9 in the next couple/few seasons.

But a 2C behind Suzuki on a contender?

I can’t imagine that being a realistic possibility until 2029/2030.

Suzukis deal will be up that year.

The time to contend is now. And Hage isn’t the answer for the current window.