Canadiens: Coming of Hage

While the Montreal Canadiens were on the receiving end of a beatdown last night, prospect Michael Hage was helping his Michigan team administer one.

The Montreal Canadiens were knocked out for the count by the Vegas Golden Knights last night, the players completely hung poor goaltender Samuel Montembeault up to dry in the second frame. 

It was a much better night for prospect Michael Hage though, the NCAA rookie exploded for five points as Michigan beat Penn State 10-6. The center put up one goal and four assists in a brilliant performance.

So far, the Canadiens prospect has got 16 points in 11 games and is now in the top-10 points wise in the NCAA.  With eight goals and eight assist, he is showing a versatility that can definitely come in handy and an offensive flair that would be even more useful in Montreal. 

In his last two games, Hage has three goals and four assists for seven points, to say that he's progressing well in the NCAA would be an understatement. It will be interesting to see if the Canadiens push for Hage to make the jump to the pros early of if they'll take a more patient approach. 

Of late, both Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson spent a couple of years in the NCAA before they were signed to their entry-level contract and while Hage really seems to be coming into his own in his rookie season, the jump to the pros is a big one. So far, Montreal has showed it can be patient and the Habs brass seems to be of the slow and steady wins the race approach.