Where Should Michael Hage Start When He Arrives with the Habs?

Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage will be joining the team in the near future, as it is inevitable that he will be joining the Habs as soon as he’s done his season with the Michigan Wolverines. With that being said, the Habs will need to find the right spot for him in the lineup to start his NHL career. According to TVA Sports’ Nicolas Cloutier, he believes in playing Hage alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the team’s top line. Would that really be the right move for Hage to start his NHL career?

Nicolas Cloutier: “I would try Hage on the first line”#thesickpodcast @TonyMarinaro @NCloutierTVA pic.twitter.com/apQWaWJrA9

— The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) March 13, 2026

Cloutier believes that by the time Hage is ready to sign and play with the Canadiens, they wouldn’t have anything to lose by starting him on the wing next to Suzuki. Also, in doing that, it would allow Slafkovsky to go back down to the 2nd line, where he was one of the team’s best players before the Olympic break. Unfortunately, due to an Olympic hangover throughout that entire line, they struggled out of the gate coming out of the break. However, now that Slafkovsky seems to have re-found his confidence over the past week, it wouldn’t be a bad thing for him to play alongside Oliver Kapanen and Ivan Demidov again.

If Montreal is already in the playoffs, I can see them playing Hage with Suzuki and Caulfield and move Slafkovsky back with Kapanen and Demidov… it still depends on how many games Hage is available…. If they make it to the frozen four he will only be a here for one game

— Surgeon6201 (@PaulKav10) March 8, 2026

One thing that Cloutier argued is that Hage may end up coming to the team right after they end up clinching a playoff spot, which is one of the main reasons he believes the Habs would have nothing to lose in trying Hage next to Suzuki, as there will be a lot that the young forward could learn from the captain by skating alongside him. In reality, there are some similarities when it comes to their playmaking abilities. They would also be great at setting up Caufield for some big goals with their elite hockey IQs.

Another aspect of the game that could be good for Hage to learn from Suzuki by playing alongside him on his wing is just seeing how responsible he is on the ice, which can only make Hage become a better centre down the line. Playing as an NHL centre right when he arrives could be a challenge that Hage may not be ready for, especially when he could still develop more on his defensive game before he would be ready to take on the reins as the Habs’ 2nd line centre down the line.

My fearless very young #Habs end of season+playoffs line up:

Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovský
Hage-Kapanen-Demidov
Bolduc-Newhook-Dach
Danault-Evans-Anderson
Popcorn-> 11, 92 & 85

Hutson-Dobson
Matheson-Reinbacher
Guhle-Carrier
Popcorn-> 47 & 72

Fowler & Dobes
Popcorn-> 35

— Denis Pettigrew (@DenisPMtl) March 9, 2026

Also, one thing that should be noted is that if the Habs were to play Hage on the 2nd line, where many people would have him slotted, he’d likely be playing with Kapanen and Demidov, who have been attached all season long, which would feature three rookies. This could be a dynamic trio, but the lack of experience could also be an issue if it comes to the playoffs, that is, if the Canadiens decide to use Hage come playoff time.

Fowler Reinbacher
On ajoute Hage
On envoie Monty à Laval pour les séries
On renvoie Texier au ballotage pour Laval et on rappelle Blais comme profondeur.

Caufield Suzuki Slaf
Newhook Hage Demidov
Dach/Kapa Danault Bolduc
Anderson Evans Blais/Gally

— L+L = W (@LoMoo28) March 10, 2026

Although maybe the move for the Habs could be that they put Newhook in between Hage and Demidov on the 2nd line, which could give that line a veteran so that there is at least some veteran on that line. This line would also bring a good mix of speed and skill that could cause havoc on opposing defenders, which could lead to them being very successful as a trio.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the 2025-2026 playoff Montréal Canadiens.

Caufield – Suzuki – Slafkovsky
Newhook – Kapanen – Demidov
Bolduc – Evans – Hage
Anderson – Danault – Texier#gohabsgo

— Zolac36 (@Emilio23196502) March 13, 2026

This would leave Kapanen to go down to a 3rd line, where he could potentially be a fit alongside Kirby Dach and Zack Bolduc, who have seemingly found good chemistry together this season, despite both players having trouble developing chemistry with others. Kapanen, being such a smart player, could be a good fit with them as well. On the other hand, if the Habs were to try Hage at centre right away, playing him on the 3rd line with either Dach or Bolduc as well as a defensively responsible player like Josh Anderson or Jake Evans could be something to try.

At the end of the day, there are a few options for Hage. When he arrives in the NHL, it will be interesting to see how Martin St. Louis and his coaching staff use him when Hage finally arrives in late March or early April.

Where do you think Hage will fit when he arrives in the NHL?