The story of the Montreal Canadiens 2024 draft was selecting two players in the first round that were believed to not be available when the Habs picked.
Ivan Demidov drew so much attention and, rightfully, Michael Hage’s feel-good story took center stage. His story struck the nerve of many, and his skillset attracted the ire of Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton. Despite battling mental and physical hardships, Hage still put together a solid draft year in the United States Hockey League.
Michael Hage’s first two career college games for Michigan:
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) October 6, 2024
1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XLwnyn4u6O
There were high hopes for Hage heading into his draft plus one season, which is his freshman collegiate season. In the NCAA with the Michigan Wolverines, Hage was hoping to hit the ground running and show the Habs just what they have in him. His rampant start has shown all that and then some, his vision and skating are at an elite level and already he is causing problems with his puckhandling and ability to evade defenders.
With four points through two games, Hage has arrived on the scene and doesn’t appear ready to slow down. Fortunately for the Canadiens, they have the personnel in Montreal to hold the fort down until he arrives to help out the team. He will give Hughes and Jeff Gorton plenty to grin about, so long as he continues playing to his potential.
Way too early prediction
It’s only two games so jumping to crazy conclusions would be silly. But predictions are a different story, people make sporting bets all the time. I think predicting what Hage’s stat line will resemble after the regular season could be interesting.
The Wolverines are slated to play 34 games without counting the playoff conference tournament. There is also the NCAA tournament which is an add-on. But let’s assume he plays all 34 games and bases his point totals on that sample size.
I would expect that he has capabilities to achieve beyond 34 points in 34 games. I’m not sure that two points in each game should be expected, but maybe 60 points. 25 goals and 35 assists could be a really good prediction, with odds that he possibly scores more.
Hage moves and navigates the ice like a young Jack Eichel. I wouldn’t put that pressure on him to expect him to achieve what Eichel did. But I think he has high-end talent and could develop into a very good top-six centre, if not on the top line.