Lane Hutson ranked 14th among the best U23 players: Corey Pronman is at it again

Marc-Olivier Cook
Lane Hutson ranked 14th among the best U23 players: Corey Pronman is at it again
Credit: Getty Images

Lane Hutson is one of the best offensive defensemen in the National League.

No doubt about it. In fact, there's…

No doubt here unless your name is Corey Pronman. The man who works for The Athletic has clearly never been a big fan of the American, and we see it again in a recent list created earlier this morning.

Pronman, in a text in which he ranks the best players aged 23 and under, gives the Canadiens a lot of love. His list includes…

  • Juraj Slafkovsky at #7
  • Ivan Demidov at #8
  • Lane Hutson at #14
  • Alexander Zharovsky at #39
  • Michael Hage in 51st place
  • David Reinbacher at #85
  • Zachary Bolduc at #90
  • Oliver Kapanen at 118

Clearly, Lane Hutson's position in the list is surprising. We're talking about the guy who won the Calder Trophy last season… and we're talking about the guy who finished 2025 as the best passer among National League defensemen.

What does Corey Pronman have against Lane Hutson?

I really don't know. And I'd really like to know the answer to that question.

Because, really… to see Hutson ranked so low on the list – when he's already established as one of the best players at his position in the entire league – is insane.

It's a little crazy. A little… ridiculous.

I also don't know what Lane Hutson will have to do (anymore) to earn points in Corey Pronman's eyes. But then… I tend to think it's not such a big deal because in Montreal, everyone knows how good the little defenseman is.

Everyone knows he's already one of the elite. And if Pronman can't see it and recognize it, well… too bad for him.


Overtime

– He's dominant right now.

– Oh!

– Sick.

– Read more.

facebook icon Share twitter icon Tweet linkedin icon Share
Copied!