One thing’s for sure, Lane Hutson is very exciting to watch go.
He may compromise himself a little too often by taking the puck deep into territory, but that’s okay. The sparks he’s created since joining the Montreal Canadiens are nothing to sneeze at.
With four assists in five games this season, plus two assists in as many games at the end of the 2023-24 season, it proves that he’s going to be one of the very best offensive defensemen around.
We can dream, but it would still be very surprising for Hutson to reach the level of Cale Makar, even if the little defenseman’s offensive skills have already made many drool.
“We’re going to give him the same attention we gave Cale Makar a few days ago in Colorado” -Anthony Duclair, talking about Lane Hutson, whom the Islanders will face tonight.
And Patrick Roy also said much the same thing.
– Luc Gelinas (@LucGelinasRDS) October 19, 2024
It’s hard to stop Makar completely, if not impossible.
But to see that the Canadiens’ opponents are already preparing to take on the rookie on defense says a lot about his talent.
He’s had the disc for 5 minutes and 45 seconds so far in the opposing zone, while Makar is second with 5:34.
#GoHabsGo Lane Hutson leads all #NHL defensemen in offensive zone possession time this season:
Hutson – 5:45
Makar – 5:34
Q. Hughes – 4:58
Bouchard – 4:41
Josi – 4:28 pic.twitter.com/PBsd66rged– Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) October 19, 2024
Obviously, nobody’s perfect in life and Hutson has things to work on, but that’s part of developing a rookie.
He’ll have to learn not to venture too far into the opponent’s zone, because a forward then has to take his place at the blue line, and that’s rarely beneficial.
Defensive play can be learned, especially with hockey intelligence like Hutson’s.
Overtime
– Read more.
Alex Barré-Boulet and Joshua Roy know that things can change quickly in the world of the #Habs.
They also know that recalls don’t usually come in packs of two. On their chemistry and the duality emerging in Lavalhttps://t.co/dMgJmg7hKR
– Guillaume Lepage (@GLepageLNH) October 19, 2024
– Too bad for the Blue Jackets.
#CBJ coach Dean Evason won’t provide a timeline on injured Kent Johnson, but would say this: “It’s not short term.”
– Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 19, 2024
– It’s difficult for Saputo’s club.
Serie A: Bologna can’t win anymorehttps://t.co/2mBqLdKUWe
– RDS (@RDSca) October 19, 2024
– A fine achievement for young Canadiens Gabriel Diallo.
A first final for Gabriel Diallohttps://t.co/5hWbzmVhMd
– RDS (@RDSca) October 19, 2024