Following a hard-fought playoff run, Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is looking to build on a successful season. Now that Montreal is back and labeled as a playoff contender, Hughes may want to trade and be aggressive this summer and make a splash. If he does decide to do so, there is one name that will be hard to keep out of trade discussions: top center prospect Michael Hage.
Kent Hughes will need to part with Michael Hage to make a blockbuster trade
Hage has done everything possible to elevate his profile into blue-chip territory. The 2024 first-round pick is coming off a dominant season at the University of Michigan, exploding for 52 points in 39 games and carrying the Wolverines to the Frozen Four semifinals. He already had quality tournament experience, leading the World Junior Championship tournament in scoring with 15 points in seven games, securing a bronze medal for Canada and making himself a household name.
His season overall has greatly increased his value, making him the ultimate trade chip. Opposing general managers are not going to look at Montreal’s deep pool of defensemen and settle for a secondary piece if Hughes comes calling for a star. If the Canadiens want to make a massive swing for a legitimate top-six cornerstone like Matthew Knies, Dylan Larkin, or Jason Robertson, Hage is going to be the starting point for any conversation.
It is going to be the price of doing business. If Hughes wants to improve his team and do it fast, then parting with a top prospect is the best way to do it. Hage is widely considered to be one of the best prospects in the NHL. Someone who can have an instant impact on a roster when he makes the jump to the NHL.Â
Some fans would argue, why not keep him and add another rookie future star to an already offensively gifted forward group? The answer is simple: Montreal is entering its win-now window. Which means a player such as Dylan Larkin, Matthew Knies, Jason Robertson, or even Jordan Kyrou helps them drastically more now than Hage would.Â
It may be smart to hold on to Hage as an absolute last resort and offer Alexander Zharovsky and other assets first. Teams could agree to that trade package first. Then, Hughes can still have Hage join his roster in a season or two. However, now that NHL teams know what Hage can bring, it’s going to be incredibly hard not to part with him for a legit NHL superstar.
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