Michael Hage is having a good first campaign with the University of Michigan. The center already has 10 goals and 18 points in 15 games so far this season.
His 10 goals currently give him seventh place among the top scorers in the NCAA, only two goals behind the leaders.
Remember that Hage was selected 21st overall in the first round of the last draft and with his performances since his arrival in the NCAA, the Canadian possibly made a steal.
If we add Ivan Demidov, drafted fifth, CH could have made two big moves in the draft by picking up two top 6 attackers.
And with some players on our top two lines underperforming this year, like Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, we can at least fall back on the idea of offensive reinforcements arriving in the future.
However, those who can't wait to see Hage in a Habs uniform will have to be patient, because everything seems to indicate that Hage will play at least one more season in the NCAA.
In an article published today on The Athletic, Arpon Basu discusses several career highlights, including the loss of his father last year, as well as his future.
The center wants to take the time to feel ready before making the jump to the NHL and he doesn't want to rusher its development. Although he dreams of his first game at the Bell Centre, he wants to wait until he is ready to make an impact with the Canadiens before joining the big club.
And I think it's a good thing to advocate patience in Hage's case.
His transition to the university level has gone very well and he is having a good year as freshman despite the pressure to perform.
In addition, the young player is with one of the very good university organizations at the hockey level and there is no point in rushing the pace and bringing him to the professional circuits too quickly.
Even if the Canadian continues to have problems with his center line, he must give Hage time to develop well.
In burst
– Great performance for Rasmus Bergqvist.
– Hat trick!
– What a stop!
– New coach in Detroit.
– An untouchable.
