The Montreal Canadiens appear to have a promising future star in defenceman Lane Hutson. With outstanding skating and impressive puck confidence, Hutson is already showcasing his abilities early in his NHL career. But despite his clear potential, he’s still a young defender. The primary goal for any defenceman is to keep the puck out of their net, and for Hutson to become a top-tier NHL defender, he’ll need to develop a well-rounded game. Until he does, he may fall short of reaching his full potential.
Lane Hutson is Another Star in the Waiting in Montreal
Hutson is an incredibly quick, dynamic skater with impressive edge work, and his ability to control the blue line and set up plays will remain a key strength as he progresses in the NHL. He consistently keeps his head up, showing excellent awareness of his surroundings, especially around the net, and can execute plays at high speeds. However, skating hard at all times can make it challenging for him to find his shooting range, an area where he can continue refining his offensive game, though it’s already well-developed.
Despite his smaller stature, he shows strength on the puck when playing offensively. Yet, his size can be a disadvantage, making him vulnerable to turnovers, particularly in close one-on-one battles that arise during fast transitions, where he may get knocked off balance. Still, like former Canadiens blueliner Francis Bouillon, his head coach Martin St. Louis, or teammate Cole Caufield, finding ways to adapt can make all the difference. Having a coach who supports his development at his own pace is a valuable asset in overcoming these challenges.
Let’s examine some key reasons why Lane Hutson’s potential for stardom is hard to overlook. Reflecting on his college stats with the Boston University Terriers, Hutson’s offensive output places him in elite company. While his career-high of 49 points slightly missed Matt Carle’s 2005-06 record of 53, his impressive 48 points as an 18-year-old freshman truly set him apart. We’ll now compare the freshman-year point totals, college and NHL career highs, and NHL rookie-season point totals for both players to better understand this trajectory.
Recent history suggests that dominating in college often translates to NHL success. While it’s not a flawless predictor, the NHL trajectories of players like Makar, Fox, and Hughes indicate that this level of early performance can be a strong signal for future success. A solid rookie season from Hutson would further support this idea.
Studying Lane Hutson’s Stats Early On
Any Player is Only as Effective as the Team Around Him
On the flip side, hockey is ultimately a team sport, which benefits both the Canadiens and Hutson over time. Montreal’s pipeline includes young defensemen like Kaiden Guhle and David Reinbacher, who could evolve into ideal top-pairing partners for Hutson. Notably, Reinbacher is currently rehabbing from knee surgery and is expected back later this winter.
Guhle, though sidelined for a few games, has shown great early chemistry with Hutson. In nearly 35 minutes together, their pairing boasts a 55.6% expected goals rate and a 3-0 goals-for advantage—a promising sign for coach St. Louis and his staff.
Whether examining Hutson’s raw skills or stats, it’s clear the Canadiens have a budding star on defense. His dynamic playstyle challenges defenders, and his speed provides valuable recovery ability. If Montreal maintains a patient approach under coach St. Louis, Hutson could soon be among the NHL’s top-scoring blueliners.
