Second season: Lane Hutson has exactly the same stats as Cale Makar

Félix Forget
Second season: Lane Hutson has exactly the same stats as Cale Makar
Credit: Getty Images

Lane Hutson is enjoying an exceptional 2025-26 season. The defenseman, who scored 66 points in his rookie year, is on track to shatter that mark this season, averaging one point per game so far this campaign.

And what's impressive is that he's reaching a new gear. He has scored 12 points in his last eight games.

Clearly, he feels more comfortable playing on the left.

That said, looking back at his full year, it's interesting to note that of his 44 points, Hutson scored eight goals. He also maintained a +17 differential.

And those numbers… they're exactly the same as Cale Makar's in his second NHL season.

It should be remembered that Makar's second season took place in the context of a shortened 56-game campaign. He missed 12 games that season (not half a season).

But Hutson is on track to play quite a few more games.

It's also worth noting that Makar, in his second season, was a year older than Hutson. This means that, in practice, Hutson outperforms Makar at the same age. That's no mean feat.

More importantly, Hutson's performance this season means that he is quietly gaining ground in the race for the Norris Trophy. Makar is still the favorite, but as we can read in a text from The Athletic, Hutson's name is starting to register among the guys who will be garnering votes.

Right now, the consensus is that Makar (who has 51 points in 43 games and a +30 differential) is the clear favorite… and that he'll be hard to dislodge despite Hutson's blistering pace. Except that, in reality, watching the 21-year-old Lane Hutson compete with the 27-year-old Cale Makar is quite a feat.

Yes, the Habs have a (very) good one on their hands.


Overtime

– Well done.

– Can you believe it?

– Love this.

– To be continued.

– It could happen soon.

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