Martin St. Louis Has a Big Decision Coming: When to Bring in Michael Hage
The Montreal Canadiens are in win-now mode with four games left on the schedule, sitting four points out of first place in the Eastern Conference and tied for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. But head coach Martin St. Louis is also thinking ahead, and that's where things get complicated.
Michael Hage, the 21st-overall pick from the 2024 draft, is almost NHL-ready. The 19-year-old forward has posted 26 goals and 85 points over 71 games across two seasons with the Michigan Wolverines. He's headed to the Frozen Four and could win a national championship on Saturday. Or, if Michigan loses to Denver in Thursday's semifinal, he could be available to sign an entry-level deal before the regular season ends.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiSt. Louis Is Testing the Waters
After Tuesday's 4-3 shootout win over the Florida Panthers, St. Louis made several lineup changes that sent a signal: he's willing to experiment. The coach has said twice in the last 48 hours that winning games and accomplishing their divisional goals are the top priorities. But the amount of roster shuffling he did suggests he might have more moves in mind.
Hage could be the biggest one yet. The question isn't whether he's ready. It's whether St. Louis will actually use him if he signs before the season wraps up.
The Timing Problem
With playoff positioning and home-ice advantage still very much in play, it feels uncertain whether St. Louis would throw Hage into the lineup during this critical stretch. The college season isn't finished, and there's no guarantee when or if Hage will be available.
But St. Louis has shown he's not afraid to shake things up. That flexibility might be exactly what Montreal needs down the stretch, or it might be exactly what gets in the way. Either way, the Canadiens' final four games are about to get a whole lot more interesting if Hage's name gets called.
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