Finding a top center in today's NHL is one of the toughest tasks a general manager can undertake.
The next manager of the Detroit Red Wings not only has to trade away disgruntled top center Dylan Larkin, they'll also need to find a brand new top center. They don't exactly grow on trees, either -- nor are they often available. Current potential options range from risky, with candidates like Elias Pettersson, to unlikely, with guys like Anton Lundell.
Thus, the Red Wings have to go back to the drawing board and find a different, more creative solution.
Fortunately, there's an option that exists -- and it isn't too far away from home, either. University of Michigan product (and Montreal Canadiens prospect) Michael Hage might be just the answer the Red Wings need.
What Michael Hage can do for the Red Wings
The University of Michigan product is one of the top center prospects in the NHL right now, scoring 52 points in 39 games for the Wolverines last season. Had it not been for Max Plante's awe-inspiring Hobey Baker campaign, Hage would've surely ran away with the award.
His high level of scoring coupled with his above-average defensive play makes him an immediate fit in a team's top-six -- and a potential solution to the Dylan Larkin woes the Red Wings have.
Rather than sign his entry-level contract with the Habs, Hage has instead opted to return to U of M for the 2026-27 season. Whether this to await signing bonuses or the sign of something else remains to be seen, but, for now, it's a situation worth monitoring.
As of right now, the Habs are utilizing Oliver Kapanen and - at times - Kirby Dach as their second-line center. They've been actively searching for a 2C behind Selke-winner Nick Suzuki all offseason. If they can find one, they'll almost certainly move on from Hage as soon as possible.
Fortunately, a solution may be closer than they realize.
Red Wings could convince disgruntled captain to expand trade list
The Red Wings have to move on from Dylan Larkin. The Habs need a second line center. Michael Hage has yet to sign his entry-level deal. Perhaps there's a solution that can be reached to make all three parties happy.
If the Red Wings can convince Larkin to expand his trade list - and if the Habs want a long-term, const-controlled second-line center, this might be a match made in heaven. The Red Wings can acquire their top-six center of the future in Hage along with another prospect and pick in exchange for Larkin.
It's a best-of-all-worlds solution for everyone. The Red Wings get a new U of M center, the Habs get their guy and Hage finally gets his opportunity at the NHL level. While the Wings would have to wait until late in the 2026-27 season to give Hage his debut, showing the young center how ready the team is for him to take on a huge role should be a massive sign of confidence in his talents.
But, before any of this can begin, the Red Wings need to find their new general manager.
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