Some exchanges mark an era, not because they are immediately successful, but because they become endless debates.
Whoever sent a key player to Colorado in 2022 for Justin Barron and a second-round pick is the perfect example.
And today, that second-round pick has a name: Michael Hage. But before diving into the expectations that weigh on the shoulders of this young center, it must be recognized that the Canadian, after a shaky start, found a little redemption in this exchange thanks to another element: Alexandre Carrier.
Because let’s be honest: Justin Barron hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations. After being presented as a solution to solidify the right flank of the defense, Barron delivered irregular performances which left the Canadian management on the defensive.
But thanks to another transaction, Barron became Alexandre Carrier, and the latter breathed some life into the CH management.
Carrier is anything but flamboyant, but he is reliable, solid, and he stabilizes a defense that really needed it. A smart acquisition, which, let’s be fair, gives Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton points in this debate.
However, even with Carrier in the equation, the real verdict of this trade now rests with Michael Hage.
This young player has become the centerpiece that management is banking on to tip the scales in their favor.
But in Montreal, expectations are sky-high, and Hage will need to quickly prove he can be more than just a good second-round pick.
Because meanwhile, in Colorado, the player sent in this trade continues to wreak havoc – as he proved again last night with his first-ever career hat trick.
Relive this memorable performance here:
Three goals, each a demonstration of his playing intelligence and instinct. The first, midway through the second period, was a surgical finish on a perfect pass from Nathan MacKinnon.
The second, an opportunistic rebound, broke the tie with five minutes remaining. And finally, the third, an empty-net goal, completed an evening where Lehkonen shone like never before.
Meanwhile, Alexandre Carrier, now with the Canadiens, brings some stability to the defense. Carrier is reliable and responsible, but he does not yet have the impact necessary to overshadow Lehkonen.
As for Michael Hage, he represents the future, but remains a mystery. Drafted in 2024 after Montreal gave up the pick obtained in the trade to move up the order, he is described as intelligent, promising, but still very far from proving himself in the NHL.
Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton are hoping Hage becomes an impact player who can turn this trade into a long-term win.
But for now, each notable performance from Lehkonen – like his hat trick yesterday – only deepens the doubts.
Comparisons, although unfair, are inevitable in a market as passionate as Montreal.
Time will tell if Hage can fill that void. But last night was Lehkonen’s night, and he remembered it in the most vivid way.
To be continued…
