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Did the Montreal Canadiens just signal a shift in their long-term plan at 2C? In this video, we break down the latest development with Michael Hage, who has now played two straight weeks on the wing at the University of Michigan. What does that mean for his projection as a center at the NHL level?
We also evaluate the recent play of Kirby Dach and Oliver Kapanen with the Canadiens. Is Dach still the ideal 2C of the future? Is Kapanen forcing his way into real consideration? And how do these performances impact the Habs’ roster strategy moving forward?
We look at:
Why Michigan may have moved Hage to the wing
How the Canadiens have evaluated Dach’s return and usage
Whether Oliver Kapanen is tracking as an NHL 2nd line center
What this means for the Habs’ depth chart and long-term build
If you’re a Habs fan who cares about prospect development, roster construction, and the future core of the team, this is the breakdown you need.
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20 Comments
I feel he's too slight of build. I have serious worries that he'd get killed physically in the NHL. Wing is more realistic for sure but even then he's going to need time. Bulk him up! More weight! Then there is the fact he doesn't dominate good opponents. His highlights are mostly all against horrible D.
There is a 0% Chance MONTREAL Trades Oliver Kapanen
KIRBY DACH will end up at WIng …..
If IVAN DEMIDOV WAS reliable in his own end ….. That line would get 16 minutes a game
Dach is creating his own goal way more than kapanen. The way he attacks the zone with speed on the rush could create a lot of room for demidov… i see dach newhook demidov as a great 2nd line… by the way newhook is gonna score 20+ this season
Marco dont you think that kapy and newy % is impacted by the amount of high danger chances created by demidov? Like if 85% of your shots are coming from high danger situation you will endup with an inflated goal% .
I know 33% will not sustain but would that be crazy to think a 18-20% might be possible playing with Demi?
If tage thompson is available im sending hage AND Reinbacher And dach and a 2026 1st.
As a basis offer to start the negotiations
Guys for fuck sakes, stop talking about Hage…You have a great fun young team to talk about… focus on our Pro players. All you two are doing is setting unrealistic expectations for the fan base… putting pressure on a kid who is still dealing with the loss of his dad……
Stop it please!!! … Marco, somebody has to be the adult in the room…sorry!
Love you guys…. but seriously… STOP!!
Trading,drafting and developing is all apart of the the game sometimes luck comes in play and a lot of factors to become a championship 🏆 team
Have to wonder if the rise of Zharovsky makes Hage more likely to get moved as part of a trade for a 2C if management does see Hage as a winger. Would hate to see it because of Hage’s story but he’s one of our best trade chips
The Michigan coach decides where Hage play. NCAA is not a developmental league . Coaches there are play to win or they will get fired. How many young players do well in faceoff? Suzuki was under 50% for the first 4 yrs in NHL. So relax. Let the kid plays, matures and works on his game.
Kirby Dach will prove to be a legit 2C, once Demidov joins him. By the end of the year they will be one of the best 2nd lines in the league. Y'all will see.
Hey guys,
Is MSL playing Bolduc in situations where he can succeed?
Amen, Marco. So right about Dach and O.K.
You can’t fall in love with players. The trip from prospect to suspect is short. Everything should be on the table.
I watched the Ducks – Jets game yesterday and holy sh$$ is the Ducks 2nd line is fire! Regarding Hage, we also need a right shot 2nd line left wing to one time Demidov passes… time will tell
The biggest problem for Hage is that the Habs are contenders now with 90% core signed long-term cheap. It might be more prudent for them to deal him than wait; especially if Kap continues as is. A good Kap makes Hage expendable.
One thing I think most would agree with is that these are great problems to have at this early date. These are problems you have when a competitive window is open, not when it might open in a year or two. The performance of this team has accelerated the whole schedule.
Watch Kapenen become the first player ever to maintain a 33% shooting percentage for multiple years now 😂
Yes you need more layers to be a 2C but there are not enough 2C's to go around and Demidov mitigates that by being the playmaker a la Marner. That goal against the Mammoth was exactly what you want from a center playing with Demidov.
Not sure the 2c is on the roster but it might be be good enough to hold out for Hage to develop into it
I think to the 2C strategy is what it has always been. Let's see how the guys we have pan out. We have a year or two yet to fill this hole, perhaps internally.
I know we are very happy. Oliver Kapanen has ten points and is playing six fewer minutes a night than Slafkovsky. Newhook looks good when playing with Demidov and Kapanen. Give me more of these guys as your second line. Kapanen has been lucky and at times these guys are running into each other but they are exciting together.
Kirby Dach. Im happy for him. He has had a nice little run. He's slow as molasses and is 45.9% in the faceoff circle. He's not your second line center and he's probably not a center. Trade him for value while he's playing or worst case create some sort of Anderson Dach Slafkovsky Bash line.
Dach is not your guy.
Love Jake Evans. He's your 4-C.