CMJ: Lane Hutson has the opportunity to break the record for points by a defender

Peter Andersson. Do you know him?

I’ll confess, I had to do some research, because he didn’t have a very successful NHL career.

But he did put his name in the World Junior Championship record books. How did he do that? By being the defenseman with the most points in a single tournament.

In 1985, for Sweden, he collected 14 points in seven games.

So, why am I mentioning him just a few days before the start of the tournament? Because Lane Hutson, who will be playing for the USA, has a legitimate chance of breaking that record.

At least, that’s what Arpon Basu thinks. In The Basu & Godin Notebook podcast, Basu believes in the Habs prospect’s chances of collecting more than 14 points. After all, he’ll be on the ice most of the time.

How in-house analytics have influenced Nick Suzuki’s play this month is among the topics @ArponBasu & @MAGodin discuss in this last edition of the Notebook before the new year.
This week’s Future Friday focuses on Lane Hutson.
https://t.co/lVkMAzVavI
https://t.co/WNKH9N570C

– The Basu & Godin Notebook (@BasuAndGodin) December 23, 2023

Our neighbors to the south count on a pretty powerful club.

I don’t think it’s risky to say they should (in theory) have a strong tournament. Hutson, who is one of his club’s best defenders, will play a lot.

On the power play or five-on-five, the left-hander will have a great opportunity to write his name in the junior record books.

But as Basu confessed to Marc Antoine Godin, it will obviously be interesting to follow his offensive prowess during this tournament, but especially his defensive prowess. There’s no doubting Hutson’s offensive flair. And if there’s a question mark in his game, it’s his defensive game.

Although his coach Jay Pandolfo admits that this is the aspect of the game in which he has improved the most. Pandolfo also believes he has fewer and fewer fears about his defensive development in the big leagues.

Good news, then.

Fans will have to keep a close eye on their protégé’s defensive performance during this tournament. He’ll be playing on a bigger rink, against a slightly better level than in the NCAA. It’s not a “make or break” situation, but Basu believes the CMJ will really determine whether the guy is NHL ready.

He’ll have to be, because let’s not forget that Kent Hughes wants to sign him to a contract at the end of his college season.

In addition to Hutson, Jacob Fowler will also be one to watch on the American side. He and Trey Augutsine will be battling it out for the role of number-one goalie.

In bursts

– That’s right.

– He deserves it.

– Bravo.

Gostisbehere got an extra two minutes for showing the ref his diving impression

(: @BR_OpenIce) pic.twitter.com/CcPRsO55rX

– BarDown (@BarDown) December 23, 2023

– The question arises.