With six points in five games, Lane Hutson, a defenceman for the Montreal Canadiens, has made a strong impression at the start of his NHL career. Although the sample size is small, it provides a glimpse into the influence he can have on the team.
Martin St-Louis Clearly Trusts Lane Hutson Beyond His Years
Despite fans calling for increased ice time for Hutson, it is important to acknowledge that head coach Martin St-Louis has been quite proactive in utilizing the young player. In the first three games, only Kaiden Guhle (average 16:42 TOI) has received more ice time than Hutson (average 15:34 TOI) in 5v5 situations. Additionally, St-Louis has relied heavily on Hutson during power plays, where he ranks among the top 15 players in the NHL, averaging nearly four minutes per game. By contrast, Mike Matheson, the player some want to replace on the first powerplay unit, averages 5:35 TOI on power plays, ranking third in the league.
While it’s understandable why fans want to maximize Hutson’s ice time, it’s essential to remember that this is a transition year for him. Adjusting to the rigors of a full NHL schedule takes time, and although Hutson is expected to be one of the busiest players on the team, he needs time to acclimate physically. St-Louis is already granting him significant ice time, which explains the cautious approach rather than pushing him to his limits right away.
Hutson is undoubtedly a talented player, yet this is just the beginning of his professional journey. Having participated in numerous practices while in the NCAA, he is now adapting to the demands of an 82-game season. His playing style may surprise NHL opponents, but criticisms about his ability to succeed in the league have largely dissipated as he has progressed.
The true benefit of having Hutson in the NHL is the quality of his teammates. While the Boston University Terriers were a solid team, his previous chemistry with elite prospect Macklin Celebrini didn’t always translate to success with less capable teammates. Now, on an NHL team, that same chemistry is emerging, benefitting even players who aren’t typically seen as elite. It’s clear that Hutson has been performing at an NHL level prior to his debut, much to the surprise of those who doubted his capability.
Lane Hutson’s Size Is Not An Issue
Let’s be frank: Hutson’s drop to 62nd overall in his draft year was mainly due to concerns about his size. The Canadiens deserve credit for ultimately selecting him, even though they overlooked him on multiple occasions before drafting him. Every NHL team had a chance to pick Hutson but chose players who, despite lacking his statistics and skills, met physical height requirements.
While Hutson may eventually encounter challenges on the ice, his size hasn’t hindered him thus far, and he often handles the puck more than any other Canadiens player. His agility, intelligence, anticipation, and high hockey IQ make him a difficult target for hits.
Lane Hutson Epitomizes Entertainment
Hutson has always been one of the most entertaining players in hockey, and since joining the NHL, he has only enhanced that reputation. His quick hands have frustrated opponents like Brady Tkachuk, and his clever play has even left camera operators momentarily confused, showcasing his deft use of deception to create space for shooting and passing.
Lane Hutson’s Early Statistics Are Excellent
He currently leads all defencemen in expected goal share (xGF%) by a significant margin. Although his individual stats may not be shocking due to his overwhelming talent, they set a high bar for his performance.
There’s a prevailing narrative that suggests Hutson struggles defensively, but this is misleading. He typically keeps the puck away from his net, demonstrating the value of puck-moving defencemen. After watching nearly every game involving Hutson since he was drafted, it’s clear he often compensates for teammates’ mistakes rather than putting them in difficult positions.
To assess how effective he has been in the NHL, we can examine the first line’s performance with and without him on the ice. The first line has scored well early this season, largely attributed to Cole Caufield’s resurgence. However, their underlying statistics haven’t matched last year’s performance.
Without Hutson, the first line has controlled only 23.5% of shots and 16.4% of expected goals (xGF%). In contrast, with him on the ice, they control 50% of the shots and 42.5% of high-danger chances. This shows that despite being the least experienced player in the lineup, Hutson has significantly impacted the team’s best players.
These figures may fluctuate as the season progresses, but it’s clear from both the eye test and statistical analysis that Lane Hutson is off to an impressive start in his NHL career.
