Canadiens draft pick Michael Hage faces tempered expectations

Since the start of the season and particularly following his first two games at the World Junior Championship, Michael Hage has been gaining popularity among fans, as well as within the Montreal Canadiens organization.

The 2024 first-round pick (21st overall) is showing good progress in his second year in the NCAA at Michigan, with 10 goals and 28 points after 20 games.

Playing mostly at center, his name is circulating as a potential option to fill the spot behind Nick Suzuki, if Canadiens GM Kent Hughes does not succeed in making the major acquisition he wants beforehand.

We are hearing many good things about Hage, but a statement from Elite Prospects scout Hadi Kalakeche came to dampen the growing optimism surrounding this Canadiens prospect. Kalakeche seems to be part of the group that has doubts about Hage's true potential, due to certain flaws in his game.

Expert urges caution on Canadiens prospect Michael Hage's NHL readiness

"I keep seeing Habs fans all but shooing in Michael Hage as a top-six option," Kalakeche wrote. "Hage will likely be frustrating to watch in his first steps in the NHL, for the same reasons that make Kirby Dach frustrating at times. Contact, inside positioning, forechecking consistency."

According to Kalakeche, essentially, the lack of sandpaper in Hage's style of play could hurt him upon his arrival in the NHL and, if he does not make the necessary adjustments quickly, it could become a long-term problem.

That said, let's not forget that this is a 19-year-old who is still learning the ropes. Not everyone is endowed with all the tools to have an immediate impact in every aspect of the game from their debut in the major league. It's part of the equation; otherwise, Hage would have been a top-five or even top-three pick.

Nevertheless, his offensive potential and dynamism suggest he could still be an effective contributor without being perfect, somewhat like Cole Caufield, who took four or five years to become a more complete 200-foot player.

Kalakeche added that he believes the best solution for the Canadiens, who want to continue taking steps in their rebuild, would be to make an acquisition this summer rather than immediately throwing Hage to the wolves. Rushing him too quickly into such an important role would be optimal neither for the player nor for the organization.