Michael Hage Returns to Michigan as Montreal Has No Problems With Him
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, on Saturday’s Hockey Night in Canada with Ron MacLean, was asked why Michael Hage of the Montreal Canadiens decided to return to Michigan instead of turning pro.
Writing for NHLRumors.com
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Ron MacLean: “So Michael Hage, a lot of Montreal, because you see (Porter) Martone doing what he’s doing in Winnipeg and the Philadelphia Flyers. Everyone, and broke that Michael will not go to Montreal.”
Elliotte Friedman: “Yes, there were a lot of Canadiens fans who were disappointed. They were surprised. They wanted to hear that Hage, a talented youngster, was going to join the Canadiens this regular season. But I’m here to tell them, there’s no reason to panic, there’s no reason. They have his rights for two more years.
There is no reason to believe that Hage is unhappy with the Canadiens, and there is no reason to believe that the Canadiens are unhappy with Hage and will try to trade him. They met about two weeks ago. They had dinner for about three hours. Kent Hughes pulled out a titanium card. He was there. John Sedgwick, AGM was there. Hage was there, and his advisers were there. And they all put it. They discuss all different situations.
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I believe at that time, the Canadians let you know if they were ready for him to join the pro, but they said there was no wrong decision here, and left it up to him to make the call. And I think about Hayes, there are a few things here.
Number one, he has an increased role in Michigan next year, more than he had this year. Second, unfinished business. They lost to the Frozen Four. Number three, the possibility that his brother could join the Wolverines and play there.
So that was the decision he made. And I don’t think there’s any reason for Canadiens fans to panic. I think they just said, Look, we’re ready if you want to come. But there is no wrong decision and there is no enmity.”
NHLRumors.com Note: When Michigan lost to Denver, who went on to win the National Championship against Wisconsin on Saturday night, speculation began about Michael Hage possibly turning pro. Now, there was a lot of talk all year about Hage, given that the Canadiens didn’t add a second-line center.
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However, as Marco D’Amico noted when he broke the story, the development curve was part of the decision. As TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button told Tony Marinano on the Sick Podcast, he couldn’t believe he was ready.
If the Canadiens really see him as a center, then what’s the risk of him going back to college, where he’ll have more of a role? He gets bigger and stronger in the gym, putting on muscle because his schedule is easier than in the AHL or NHL. Not to mention the NIL he might get for chasing a National Title.
If these types of players want to avoid going to the AHL, going back to college makes sense. Not to mention he’s coming off an ankle injury that might have kept others out of the lineup.
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