The Canadiens succeeded in their mission by allowing Lane Hutson to be “himself”

Before he was even drafted by the Canadiens, there were huge doubts about Lane Hutson.

It’s no wonder he slipped to 62nd overall: teams didn’t believe in him, mainly because of his size.

Today, it’s Kent Hughes and his associates who can laugh about it…

But if Hutson is having so much success right now, it’s because there’s a reason behind it all.

The Canadiens didn’t want him to change his identity.

The Habs management and Martin St-Louis never told him to change his playing style because of his size, because they knew the defenseman had the natural talent to become a good player in the National League.

And it’s paying off today.

Without Lane Hutson, the Habs are surely not in the playoffs today…

“The team just letting me be me.”

Lane Hutson speaks on his early success with the panel ahead of the Canadiens’ HUGE matchup vs. the Bruins. pic.twitter.com/UQMRctA53N

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 3, 2025

The Canadiens have succeeded in their mission, in the end.

If they had asked Lane Hutson to change, the defenseman would probably not be as good as he is today.

The Habs surrounded him well from the start, they let him progress at his own pace in the NCAA (Hutson played two seasons with Boston University) without putting obstacles in his way, and that’s giving the result we see today.

It’s all for the better, because Hutson has been and still is able to exploit his strength: his offensive play.

The Canadiens know he will make mistakes at the defensive level – like 99% of other offensive defensemen in the National League -, but they have decided to live with it.

Martin St-Louis trusts him to the point of using him for almost 23 minutes per game (22:40) in his rookie season, and that’s not for nothing.

Hutson will learn from his mistakes, and that’s how he will improve.

And that makes you realize that the Canadiens have really done a great job in developing the young player.

Overtime

– Dylan Holloway will miss some time.

Dyan Holloway is considered week-to-week after suffering a lower-body injury in Thursday’s 5-4 OT win vs. Pittsburgh. #stlblues

DETAILS https://t.co/1xtRjlviOW https://t.co/1xtRjlviOW

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) April 4, 2025

– He’s injured.

A warmup routine that has proven to work for Alex Ovechkin!

The #Gr8Chase continues TONIGHT at 7p ET on @NHLNetwork, @Sportsnet, and @TVASports! pic.twitter.com/PzVFNXZ0hI

— NHL (@NHL) April 4, 2025

– Leon Draisaitl is (again) injured.

EDM Notes:

• Knoblauch says Leon Draisaitl sustained a lower-body injury. Will not play vs. LA & is out “short term.” No concern he won’t be ready for playoffs.

• There’s a “slight” chance Frederic will play vs. LA. Emergency call up possible if 21 moved to LTIR.#Oilers

— Tony Brar (@TonyBrarOTV) April 4, 2025

– News in the MLB:

L’Association des joueurs aurait aimé qu’il prenne plus d’argent. https://t.co/GLD9sHYgP7

— Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) April 4, 2025