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'Michael Hage’s development resembles that of Nick Suzuki.'

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Dec 27, 2025 7:55 PM ET

Last night, Michael Hage had a big game to kick off the CMJ. The Habs prospect not only scored a magnificent goal, but also added two assists to his record.

He was possibly the best player on the ice yesterday.

Obviously, one game doesn’t make a career (or even a tournament), but it’s still an encouraging sign for Hage, who was also second in the NCAA in points this season before leaving for the CMJ.

And Jack Han, relying on Byron Bader’s model, came to an interesting conclusion: when you look at Hage’s development curve, you realize that it bears an uncanny resemblance to that of… Nick Suzuki.

Does that name ring a bell?

Hage is trending similarly to Nick Suzuki per @ByronMBader HockeyProspecting.

Both made Canada WJC in their D+2 yr.

Suzuki overperformed his projection due to improving in all aspects, esp defense & physicality. Not quite fair to expect the same from Hage but he’s trending well pic.twitter.com/fCDVhRXIwn

– Jack Han (@JhanHky) December 27, 2025

Han rightly notes that all this should be taken with a grain of salt, given that Suzuki has (really) outperformed these projections. He’s improved considerably, and we can’t expect Hage to do the same.

Is it impossible? No, but it’s quite improbable all the same.

Still, it’s interesting to see that Hage’s profile as a prospect resembles that of the Habs’ first center and captain. Except that, in reality, that’s not the only comparison floating around.

Steven Ellis(Daily Faceoff) spoke to a scout who, for his part, sees a player more like Robert Thomas. The scout in question says that Hage doesn’t really have any major weaknesses and is quite versatile.

#GoHabsGo prospect Michael Hage is set for a huge role with Canada’s #WorldJuniors team.

Get to know the hard-working center, with help from @SEllisHockey :https://t.co/KfRgMKlK89

– Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) December 26, 2025

What’s clear, though, is that the Habs have a high-quality prospect in Hage. There’s a reason why Marco D’Amico considers him the Habs’ best prospect: he has very, very interesting potential.

And if he follows in the footsteps of Suzuki or Thomas (even if only to a limited extent), the Habs won’t be unhappy.

Overtime

– A shootout victory for the Rocket this afternoon.

VICTORYEEEEEEEE pic.twitter.com/Bq84KuWHUz

– Laval Rocket (@RocketLaval) December 27, 2025

– Big signing for the Lightning.

Good afternoon…belated Christmas gift in Tampa Bay for JJ Moser, who is having a great season.

Hearing he is closing in on an eight-year, $6.75M AAV extension with the Lightning.

– Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 27, 2025

– La Victoire loses at the Bell Centre.

La Victoire loses a goaltender’s duel: https://t.co/gSX07J6ZlB

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) December 27, 2025

– Let’s hope it happens.

Habs coach MSL on giving Sam Montembeault “a sense of purpose”:

“You gotta give him the net & make sure the team plays in front of him to our standards. Slowly you’re gonna build that back up & confidence is gonna rise again. That’s the plan. He’s gonna get his opportunity.” pic.twitter.com/Wn8HKqwP04

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 27, 2025

– Oh?

Confirmed with two sources that significant progress was made in CBA discussions between the ECHL and the PHPA. Let’s see if it leads to a deal.

– Andrew Zadarnowski (@AZadarski) December 27, 2025

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

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