Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are currently in the thick of the playoff hunt, which has naturally quieted talk of his possible departure to pursue another Stanley Cup elsewhere.
That said, the Penguins have been ridiculously up and down all season, so a downturn in the coming weeks leading up to the trade deadline would quickly reignite that speculation. When and if it happens, the Montreal Canadiens will – as always – lead the way.
Whenever the idea of Crosby leaving Pittsburgh comes up, the Canadiens are the most mentioned destination, largely due to his well-documented love for the team and the city, having grown up as a die-hard fan. As a result, Habs fans continue to hope that the great might one day consider leaving the only franchise he’s ever known, specifically coming to Montreal.
That will remain true as long as he continues to play, but TSN insider Darren Dreger recently shed light on what it would actually take for Montreal to make a deal for Crosby – and the price is high: Michael Hage.
Dreger said:
“If Michael Hage is traded, it’s because Sidney Crosby is coming to Montreal.”
The 38-year-old Crosby remains one of the most productive players in the league, with 49 points (24 goals, 25 assists) in 44 games played this season.
Hage, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects for the Canadiens. The 19-year-old is doing well at the University of Michigan this year and is coming off an excellent World Junior Championship, scoring 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) in just seven games.
Is Sidney Crosby worth the cost to Montreal?
Given Hage’s recent dominance at both the collegiate level and at the World Juniors, it’s understandable why Canadiens fans are hesitant to include him in any deal, even if it involves Crosby.
However, this is Crosby, so very little can be off the table here. That said, given Montreal’s current standings, it honestly wouldn’t make sense to give up Hage for a player in his late 30s, regardless of who it is.
As good as the Canadiens already are, winning a Stanley Cup in the next two years feels far-fetched, which is when they should win with Crosby in the ranks.
Hage is poised to become an impactful NHL player, and given the promise he has shown since being selected in the 2024 first round (21st overall), Kent Hughes and company should continue that development as he could very well be their second-line center of the future.
Next: Insider says Gavin McKenna wants to play for this Canadian team
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