2024 Prospect Profile: Michael Hage

Every finger and toe crossed!

Happy Friday! Let’s talk about some upcoming options for the Carolina Hurricanes at pick 27 in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and starting off is my personal number one option for the Canes if he gets there, Chicago Steel center, Michael Hage.

Michael Hage is that prototypical center prospect that every team loves to have in their system. He has solid size (6’1, 190 pounds) that fits where the modern game is going and his game is just what you want. Hage is dangerous in transition, using his vision and deceptive passing ability to set up teammates for easy grade-A chances. Hage has done this while being mainly a solo play driver, most commonly on a line with Mick Thompson and Charlie Major.

His shot is also something to behold, using his hands to manipulate the goaltender and sending the puck in a completely different direction. Arguably, Hage’s skating might be his greatest asset, with his ability to change directions with ease and incredible foot speed.

Offensively, he’s already ahead of the game and even defensively he’s made strides in the right direction. Hage had mentioned before the 2023-2024 season that he wanted to get stronger in his own zone and he most certainly did that. His ability to anticipate passes and break them up to immediately transition set up the Steel nicely in most games.

One of the drawbacks of Hage’s game might be overconfidence in his game. Now, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but sometimes he tries to do way too much. A few seasons at his next stop, the University of Michigan, should be helpful to him as he won’t have to handle most of the offensive workload. The other drawback is that his shot might not be there quite yet, even though it made significant strides in that regard.

Overall, Michael Hage would, in my opinion, be the dream scenario for the Carolina Hurricanes at 27. His game is so enjoyable to watch and translatable to the NHL level that I think he can grow into that 2nd line center that can play on the power play on the bumper. If Hage’s defensive game continues to take those strides in his defensive game, I can see him also playing on the penalty kill down the line. Now, the main thing is, will Hage be available at 27? One person can only dream.