Photo credit: X
Everything indicates that Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens have once again hit the mark with their second first-round pick in 2024.
Everything suggests they pulled off another excellent acquisition, and according to some, it could even be considered an outright steal.
A scout has just compared Michael Hage to Robert Thomas, and it’s generating a lot of buzz around the National Hockey League.
Michael Hage closely resembles St. Louis Blues star center Robert Thomas, according to this expert
On Friday, a Daily Faceoff article put the spotlight on the Montreal Canadiens prospect at the 2026 World Junior Championship.
In the piece, a scout claims that Hage closely resembles Thomas. He also adds that he doesn’t see any major flaws in his game.
A hockey scout on Habs prospect Michael Hage:
“He’s a lot like Robert Thomas. He doesn’t have a glaring flaw. Hage is so dynamic, loves attacking the puck, is great in transition, and he loves scoring big goals.”
– Via HabsOnReddit
At 19 years old, Hage is in the middle of a big season in the NCAA with the University of Michigan. He has 10 goals and 28 points in 20 games, following a rookie season of 13 goals and 34 points in 33 games. Before that, he exploded in the USHL with 33 goals and 75 points in 54 games.
A comparison that’s creating plenty of discussion, involving Robert Thomas. It’s a heavy comparison, because Thomas is already an established center in the NHL.
This season, with the St. Louis Blues, he has 9 goals and 27 points in 34 games. He’s 26 years old and is in the middle of an eight-year, $65 million contract, carrying a $8.125 million annual cap hit.
In Montreal, the timing couldn’t be better to fuel the discussion. The team is still searching for a clear solution at the second-line center position, and Robert Thomas’ name has been circulating in rumors for quite some time.
The Canadiens drafted him 21st overall in 2024, and the rest will be decided on the ice, especially in a major setting like the World Junior Championship.
But let’s just say that after Christmas, Montreal has one more reason to keep a close eye on him.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics