Canadiens warned against trading away talented 1st-round pick originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Montreal Canadiens may view this trade deadline as a good opportunity to upgrade their NHL roster.
But there’s one move they’d be wise to hold off on, according to Mike Gould of Daily Faceoff.
He writes that they shouldn’t trade away Michael Hage.
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Hage was a first-round pick in 2024 and played for Canada at the World Juniors, recording two goals and 13 assists in seven games at that tournament.
“Yes, they could use another NHL-level center, but Hage — a 2024 first-round pick — isn’t far away from becoming one of those himself, and there aren’t too many appealing targets for Montreal on the trade block,” Gould writes. “The Habs have a bunch of other assets they could use to land a big fish, including fellow top prospect David Reinbacher, but Hage should be strictly off-limits.”
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Clearly, Gould is a big believer in Hage.
Right now, Hage is playing at the collegiate level for the University of Michigan.
This season for the Wolverines, Hage has 12 goals and 23 assists.
The native of Mississauga has a bright future in hockey, and it might make sense indeed for Montreal to hold onto him so it can happen with the Canadiens.
Montreal has 67 points entering Saturday’s action, slotted fourth in the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division and in prime position to make the playoffs. An upgrade could be worthwhile, just not one that sends Hage away.
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