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The Montreal Canadiens may just have a last-minute addition waiting for them as they approach the NHL playoffs.
Michael Hage, the No. 21 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, is looming.
Hage is currently finishing up his college career as a star at the University of Michigan. Since his draft selection, his stock has only risen.
And when his NCAA action is done, Hage could position himself to jump straight to the NHL.
It's something Montreal has likely been aware of all season, and now the Canadiens just have to put themselves in a spot where they can benefit from his potential insertion into the lineup.
"Michael Hage is the guy that everyone is looking at," Daily Faceoff's Steven Ellis said in a podcast appearance this week. "He’s put up outstanding numbers, and I think we also just know that he can play with truly elite players. We saw him at the World Juniors and the way that he was able to work with Gavin McKenna out there, it was pure magic. With 15 points, he was definitely in the conversation to win tournament MVP. I really like what he’s able to do. Could he be the number-two center for Montreal immediately next year? Yeah, I think so. I think there’s definitely an argument there."
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There are only a handful of college players each year that position themselves for such a move right up the ladder.
Hage is certainly one of them, and for Montreal, he could be exactly the kind of jolt they need.
His timing will depend in part on how long Michigan's postseason goes, but any amount of Hage for the Canadiens would be better than none. It'll certainly be a highly anticipated debut whenever it arrives.
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