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The Habs would probably not be in the playoffs without Lane Hutson – Raymond Bourque
Michaël Petit
The Habs would probably not be in the playoffs without Lane Hutson – Raymond Bourque
Credit: Getty Images
The Montreal Canadiens are in a good position to make the playoffs, against all expectations.

Cole Caufield’s 36 goals, Nick Suzuki’s 84 points, and Lane Hutson’s incredible rookie season are all key factors in the Habs’ success.

In my last post, I discussed Suzuki and Hutson’s efficiency based on their “Average Game Score”. Both players have been in the same category as McDavid and Draisaitl for the month of March.

Although we haven’t seen a season with more than one point per game since Alex Kovalev in 2007-08, Hutson’s season is, in my opinion, just as exceptional, if not more so.

We can agree that without the captain, the Habs wouldn’t be in a position to make the playoffs, but Raymond thinks the same about Hutson.

“I don’t think the Habs make the playoffs without Hutson. The difference he makes with the team this year is incredible.” – Raymond Bourque

What he says is very logical. Especially if we look at his Average Game Score.

Hutson doesn’t just produce points, he’s also relatively good defensively and changes the pace of the game as soon as he touches the puck. He’s by far the most exciting player on the Habs since P.K. Subban, and I’d even say since Kovalev.

Bourque also added that he’s never seen anyone move with the puck like Hutson. He was even worried about him, but he quickly changed his mind when he saw how incredible he is.

Bourque is also convinced that #48 will win the Calder this year.

It’s not very often that we see a defenseman win the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year.

Moritz Seider was the last one, and before him, there was Cale Makar and Aaron Ekblad. Ekblad, like Seider, didn’t collect as many points as Hutson with five games left to play (39 points for Ekblad and 50 points for Seider).

The Habs’ small defenseman is currently ranked 4th among the top-scoring defensemen and 2nd among defensemen in assists, behind Makar.

For a rookie, it’s simply incredible.

If he continues on his current pace in the last five games of the season, he could very well receive some votes for the Norris Trophy (best defenseman). He could even be nominated.

If Hutson were to be nominated for the Norris, in addition to winning the Calder, he would be the third defenseman in history to achieve this feat.

The only two to have done it? Cale Makar in 2020 and Bobby Orr in… 1967.

Makar had 50 points in 57 games in his rookie season (0.88 points per game), while Orr had 41 points in 61 games (0.67 points per game). With 64 points in 77 games, Hutson is producing at a rate of 0.83, which is simply astonishing.

Even if he’s not nominated for the Norris, the chances of him receiving votes for this trophy are good, and that in itself is extraordinary.

The Habs have a rare gem in their organization with Hutson.


Overtime

– 92 points in the standings would be an ideal goal for the Habs.

– Good point.

– Sad news in the hockey world.

– Still as incredible, this Brayden Point.

– Alexis Lafrenière was ejected from the game against the Lightning.

– Worth reading.

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