Continuing the Minnesota Wild Draft Target series with Chicago Steel forward Michael Hage.
Continuing the Minnesota Wild Draft Target series with Chicago Steel forward Michael Hage.
Continuing the Minnesota Wild Draft Target series, today we look at Chicago Steel forward Michael Hage.
Hage played in the USHL last year with the Steel. He is the 10th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting, and is projected to go in the mid-to-late first round of the draft.
The 6-1, 190-pound center appeared in 54 games for the Steel this season, posting 33 goals and 42 assists for 75 points, along with a plus/minus rating of plus-17.
The University of Michigan commit's 75 points was the fourth-most in the USHL. He recorded 51 of his 75 points came after the holiday break which had his draft stock rise.
According to JFresh Hockey's rankings, Hage will likely be available at pick 13 when the Wild are on the clock. I wouldn't necessarily target Hage at pick 13 but if the Wild were to trade down in the draft, Hage could be an option for them depending on how far they trade down.
Hage seems to have a lot of abilities that solid centers in the NHL have. He is hard on pucks, is a great playmaker, has good vision, skates well, and has pro size. It's rare you can draft a 18-year-old in the draft and say yes he has pro size already. Usually you're hoping he grows a bit more.
There are aspects of his game that can grow but I'd expect he is going to be a threat as a freshman for Michigan. The way he can cut by defenders of the rush and dangle his way through oposition will set him up for a good college career. He's the exact player that fits in Michigan's program.
According to Hockey Prospecting, Hage has a higher star probability than what JFresh Hockey has him at. Hage has similar draft comparisons to Sam Bennett, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Kyle Turris, Nick Suzuki, James Van Riemsdyk, and Gabe Vilardi.
Ryan Kennedy with The Hockey News has Hage at 17 on his top 120 rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft.
"He is uber talented in terms of sense, skill, skating, and production," one scout said. "He creates a lot of chances for himself and others. To say his compete wavers would probably be an understatement. He competes offensively, but defensively, he's less than committed."
Hage is currently following the same path that Adam Fantilli followed. Fantilli played in the USHL with the Steel and then went to Michigan where he won the Hobey Baker as a freshman. He was drafted third overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 and had 12 goals and 27 points in 49 games during his first season in the NHL.
"He's a smooth skater with good hands," another scout Kennedy interviewed said on Hage. You could see things weighing on him in the first couple of months of the season. He has speed and skill, and he's a really exciting player. He's fun to watch."
I could see Hage fall come draft day. He missed almost a full year in the USHL before this year due to injuries. His defensive side and the injuries could have him fall in the draft a lot.
Hage at pick 13 wouldn't make much sense for the Wild but he would be a great add if the Wild were to scoop him up later.
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Other Wild Draft Targets:
Defenseman: Carter Yakemchuk
Defenseman: Sam Dickinson
Defenseman: Zeev Buium
Defenseman: Zayne Parekh
Forward: Cole Eiserman
Forward: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
Forward: Berkly Catton
Forward: Tij Iginla
Forward: Beckett Sennecke
Forward: Konsta Helenius
Forward: Terik Parascak
Forward: Aatos Koivu