Lane Hutson’s dominance has become so commonplace that it rarely gets discussed anymore.
At the beginning of training camp, he was the center of attention. Everyone was excited by his impressive passes and feints, especially since he had been highly anticipated for several years.
Every action he took seemed to draw attention.
Then, as training camp progressed, the atmosphere shifted. Scrimmages turned into intense competitions, diverting focus to other topics. It quickly became clear that Hutson would secure a spot on the team and play alongside David Savard, and that decision seemed to be cemented. In a way, this was accurate—we needed to address uncertainties elsewhere.
Regardless, it’s remarkable that if the current defensive pairs remain intact, Hutson could be in the Montreal Canadiens’ top-4 for the opening game. That’s a significant achievement.
While there are questions about how often other young players, including Logan Mailloux, will get to play, thoughts also turn to whether Lane Hutson might contend for the Calder Trophy. Most expect him to make an immediate impact, particularly on the power play.
The hope is that Hutson remains grounded. The challenge of being in the top defensive pair—as seems to be the plan—could be daunting for a smaller rookie.
He’ll need to consistently push himself and focus on his defensive responsibilities while being true to his style of play.
The Canadiens have placed him in a desirable spot in their lineup because of his unique skills that no other defenseman on the team possesses. None can ignite the Bell Centre like he can. However, he will need to work hard to secure his spot, understanding that an NHL season is filled with ups and downs.
He has proven in recent years that he can tackle any challenge. But this next one is significant: he must not only perform well in the NHL but do so consistently.
He managed to do just that for two games against Detroit last year, and now he needs to prepare for a much larger role. Though it won’t be easy, I wouldn’t count him out.
I can see him beginning to establish himself again, although his primary goal is likely not personal recognition, but rather helping the team win games and be competitive this season.
