“It’s not impossible that Lane Hutson will be the top scorer among rookie defensemen this season.”

In 2024-2025, despite another disappointing season from the Habs, fans still have something to be excited about: the young up-and-comers.

Guys like Lane Hutson, Logan Mailloux and Joshua Roy will all have the opportunity to potentially play 82 games in Montreal. The same goes for Kirby Dach, who isn’t as old as the three guys, but was injured in last year’s Game 2.

As for Hutson, if he gets time on the power play and plays the whole season in the metropolis, he’ll definitely have a chance to finish as the NHL’s top scorer among rookie defensemen. I agree with Simon Boisvert, who said these words on BPM Sports earlier today.

Lane Hutson could be placed in a favorable position for the Calder Trophy, often awarded based on points! #Habs #Canadiens #LaneHutson #LNH #Hockey

Full segment: https://t.co/OVDsM0V2dc pic.twitter.com/mgTcXHlvFm

– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) July 19, 2024

And for those who follow the Snake closely, you know as well as I do that he has an objectivity that honors him and that he prefers to remain patient in the case of the defenseman. If fans are excited by his university performances, Boisvert prefers to remain cautious and wait for him to play more games in the NHL and/or AHL.

The fact that he expressed some optimism about next season in his case is certainly very encouraging.

Finishing first among first-year defensemen in terms of points is no mean feat either. Some good young backs could be in their first season in the show. I’m thinking of the second overall pick in the last draft, Artyom Levshunov, Denton Mateychuk and Brandt Clarke, among others. He’ll have some competition.

A Brock Faber from 2023-2024 could also be at the top of the scoring charts…

We know that the Calder race is shaping up to be an interesting one, and that Hutson’s chances of winning are slim. But at the very least, he could end his first professional season as the best defenseman of his age.

We certainly hope so. I hope he gets plenty of power play time, despite the presence of Mike Matheson (unless he’s traded by then).

Overtime

– He didn’t stand a chance.

Another defeat for @CanadiensMeTaL

Another L for METAL!
#GoHabsGo | @JordynneGrace | @ThisIsTNA pic.twitter.com/ajjbnUzrrj

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) July 19, 2024

– Sean Couturier will have to be better.

The Philadelphia Flyers had a surprisingly decent season in 2023-24.

But Adam Proteau says captain Sean Couturier needs a better season to avoid a rocky future in Philly: https://t.co/ZmV8uDb5iW

– The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) July 19, 2024

– I agree.

Russia’s junior hockey league introduced a new overtime rule that prevents teams from returning to their half of the ice.

The NHL should follow suit, says Adam Proteau: https://t.co/2K5Dyv6Ctq

– The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) July 19, 2024

– Well done.

If the star player isn’t available for the August 31 game against the Fire, the Chicago club has planned to compensate its fans. https://t.co/z6NPc5M99b

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) July 19, 2024

– Why did this happen?

Caitlin Clark refused to participate in the 3-point shootout at the skills competitionshttps://t.co/SNS6LEws5Y

– RDS (@RDSca) July 19, 2024

– Nice work.

Olivier-Maxence Prosper was the most productive for the Maverickshttps://t.co/y3bUeRcDXs

– RDS (@RDSca) July 19, 2024

– Well deserved.

Kim Ng named to Hall of Fame Board of Directorshttps://t.co/ziqel7Gs7U

– RDS (@RDSca) July 19, 2024