A change in Alexander Hage’s path has created a new wrinkle for the Canadiens, and it could end up mattering a lot for Michael Hage’s timeline.
Michael Hage’s return to Michigan for a third season already raised eyebrows. The move made sense on two levels: he wanted more time to develop, take on heavy minutes, and get himself ready for pro hockey, but he also expected to share the season with his younger brother Alexander, who was supposed to start his freshman year with the Wolverines.
That second piece is now gone.
Alexander Hage is expected to keep developing in the OHL rather than head to the University of Michigan, and that means he will not play NCAA hockey with Michigan next season. The shift removes one of the key personal reasons behind Michael’s decision to stay in school.
JD Lagrange of The Sick Podcast offered more detail on the change, saying, "Additional information came in yesterday indicating that Alexander is very likely to return for one more season with the Niagara IceDogs."
Michael Hage still may want another year at the college level before turning pro, but the situation around him is different now. With the family plan off the table, Montreal may have a better shot at persuading him to sign his entry-level contract before next season.
There is also a path for him on the roster. If the Canadiens do not add another forward before training camp, they could have space for Hage in their top six.
In Other News...
Canadiens Suddenly Have A Chance At The Center They Need
A center hunt that has hovered over Montreal for a while picked up some unexpected intrigue when Jeff Marek raised the Canadiens as a possible destination for Dylan Larkin. It is the kind of name that instantly changes the conversation around a roster that has been searching for help down the middle, especially when a player of that caliber is even loosely attached to the market.
For now, though, the path is far from straightforward. The Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes are said to be among the teams showing the most interest, while Detroit is still holding out for a return that matches a first-line center. Larkin remains in Detroit, and until that balance shifts, Montreal's opening is more possibility than certainty. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Have An Obvious Veteran Option For Secondary Scoring
The Canadiens are still looking for ways to reinforce their scoring depth, and Reilly Smith has emerged as a veteran name worth keeping in the conversation. The unsigned free agent forward brings a long NHL track record, including past seasons as a reliable offensive contributor and a Stanley Cup on his rsum, which makes him the kind of low-risk addition teams often explore when they want help beyond their top-six forwards.
Smith is being viewed as a possible professional tryout option, which would give Montreal a closer look before any commitment is made. There has been no official agreement or even a reported offer, but the fit is easy to see for a club that could use experienced secondary scoring without rushing into a larger move. [Read more 🡒]
Brady Tkachuk Refused One Team Before Blockbuster Trade Reveal
Brady Tkachuks name surfaced in one of those summer trade discussions that can shape an entire market, and the latest report adds another layer to how complicated those talks can get. According to The Athletics Jeremy Rutherford, Tkachuk was not interested in going to the St. Louis Blues before the deal that eventually sent him to the Florida Panthers, a reminder that even high-level negotiations in the NHL are rarely just about teams lining up on value.
The report also notes that Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson came up in offseason trade chatter, underscoring how wide-ranging the conversations were behind the scenes. For teams watching the trade board, the key takeaway is familiar but often overlooked: player preference and no-trade considerations can steer a deal just as much as the price being discussed, and sometimes the most interesting part of a blockbuster is the destination that never made sense in the first place. [Read more 🡒]