Prospect Info: [2022 - 62nd] Lane Hutson (NCAA - Boston University)

[Toene]

Preferably a better skater than Hamonic or Gudbranson but I agree that he will need a big physical partner.

Can Xhekaj play the right side? Otherwise, maybe the first we got by taking Monahan could be an asset used to acquire a defensively-oriented right-handed defenseman in the later years of the re-tool/rebuild.

As of today, RD is our biggest area of weakness. After that is in net.
Before the draft, I would've said our centerline was our weakest link but the addition of Dach and Owen Beck (whom I'm in love with) are reassuring. A PP QB like Hutson could eventually be would fill a glaring hole we've had since Markov/Subban are gone.

 

[26Mats]

Can Xhekaj play the right side? Otherwise, maybe the first we got by taking Monahan could be an asset used to acquire a defensively-oriented right-handed defenseman in the later years of the re-tool/rebuild.

As of today, RD is our biggest area of weakness. After that is in net.
Before the draft, I would've said our centerline was our weakest link but the addition of Dach and Owen Beck (whom I'm in love with) are reassuring. A PP QB like Hutson could eventually be would fill a glaring hole we've had since Markov/Subban are gone.

Struble is strong and may be able to play the right side.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Struble is strong and may be able to p li a y the right side.

Struble's biggest question mark besides health is decision making and this is even more crucial when playing off-handed as a dman due to being forced to make plays on the backhand and having to carry the puck without creating more danger.

Can Xhekaj play the right side? Otherwise, maybe the first we got by taking Monahan could be an asset used to acquire a defensively-oriented right-handed defenseman in the later years of the re-tool/rebuild.

As of today, RD is our biggest area of weakness. After that is in net.
Before the draft, I would've said our centerline was our weakest link but the addition of Dach and Owen Beck (whom I'm in love with) are reassuring. A PP QB like Hutson could eventually be would fill a glaring hole we've had since Markov/Subban are gone.

I don't see Xhekaj as a reasonable candidate to play off-handed, I think it may even be more reasonable to consider moving Hutson to the right.

There is also the possibility of swapping one of our stable of LHD prospects for a RHD prospect on a team that has more of a need on the left side. This may not be easy as RHD's are harder to find but it certainly is one possible solution.

 

[26Mats]

Struble's biggest question mark besides health is decision making and this is even more crucial when playing off-handed as a dman due to being forced to make plays on the backhand and having to carry the puck without creating more danger.



I don't see Xhekaj as a reasonable candidate to play off-handed, I think it may even be more reasonable to consider moving Hutson to the right.

There is also the possibility of swapping one of our stable of LHD prospects for a RHD prospect on a team that has more of a need on the left side. This may not be easy as RHD's are harder to find but it certainly is one possible solution.

Grant McCagg was recently on Marinaro's podcast. He had just interviewed Struble. He wondered if Struble would sign with us, given all the LD's we have in the system. They both hoped his Boston connection with Kent Hughes would pull him to sign with us...

 

[Whitesnake]

If I'm the Habs, Hughes have to know Struble intentions and trade his rights to a Struble favorite team.

 

[HabzSauce]

I’m trying to think of who would be an ideal D partner for Hutson.

When I think of under-sized, dynamic, offensive defensemen, there’s Quinn Hughes and Adam Fox.

Adam Fox plays with Ryan Lindgren who is a physical, two-way d-man with size

Quinn Hughes played with Chris Tanev in 19-20 and that pairing worked out really well. Tanev, like Lindgren, is an extremely reliable defenseman.

I’m trying to think of who we have in our system that fits that mold.

Barron could be an option but I think he’s much better suited with someone like Guhle.

Mailloux could also be an option but I need to see more from him before I feel comfortable assessing his game.

Other than that, not sure who could work.

Xhekaj.

 

[26Mats]

Can Xhekaj play the right side? Otherwise, maybe the first we got by taking Monahan could be an asset used to acquire a defensively-oriented right-handed defenseman in the later years of the re-tool/rebuild.

As of today, RD is our biggest area of weakness. After that is in net.
Before the draft, I would've said our centerline was our weakest link but the addition of Dach and Owen Beck (whom I'm in love with) are reassuring. A PP QB like Hutson could eventually be would fill a glaring hole we've had since Markov/Subban are gone.

I think in net is our biggest area of weakness. Good thing we only need one goalie of the future. But I'll feel a lot better when we've found it.

We really only need two RD's to pan out, as it's relatively easy to find a 3rd pairing dman in the ufa or trade markets. We have Barron and Mailloux who are excellent prospects, and Harris, Norlinder, and Struble who may be able to play the right side. Hutson himself may be able to.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Grant McCagg was recently on Marinaro's podcast. He had just interviewed Struble. He wondered if Struble would sign with us, given all the LD's we have in the system. They both hoped his Boston connection with Kent Hughes would pull him to sign with us...

Yeah, I watched that as well. Hopefully he can stay healthy and Hughes can reel him in.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Eric Crawford is soo right about Lane Hutson, this guy is special. Glad Habs drafted him.

 

[Big Empty]

Mailloux is very aggressive offensively, probably a very poor match. Considering Lane is likely 3-5 years from playing in the NHL if he even makes it the only current option is Barron. I think Hutson's upside is a 3rd pairing PP specialist so someone like a right handed version Edmundson is more ideal but is not currently in the organization.

I think Hutson’s upside is higher than that. 3rd pairing PP specialist is a very conservative estimate. He is dynamic offensively and could be a difference maker for us down the line. His only liability is his size and according to medical reports, he could still grow a couple of inches.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I think Hutson’s upside is higher than that. 3rd pairing PP specialist is a very conservative estimate. He is dynamic offensively and could be a difference maker for us down the line. His only liability is his size and according to medical reports, he could still grow a couple of inches.

There are zero defencemen playing in the NHL at his current size.....zero. He will never be even average in his own end and will need to be insulated from facing the other team's top lines.

People need to relax with the growth narrative as there is absolutely no assurance that he will grow at all. There is only a possibility and even then it is likely to be very minimal. The likely outcome is he remains very close to his current height but if he does beat the odds and grow a little then that would be huge for him.

The kid is supremely skilled and has a chip on his shoulder so it will be a ton of fun to watch him develop. I think taking him at 26 or 33 would have been dumb but I love that we snagged him as a late 2nd. People recoiling at me calling him a 3rd pairing pp specialist is funny as that can be a very valuable asset. I think alot of people equate 3rd pairing dmen with 4th line forwards and that could not be further from the truth as they play significantly more minutes and are more difficult to hide from tough matchups. On a championship team the 3rd D pairing is extremely important and that is what we are trying to build here.

 

[Habs10Habs]

...yeah, y'all think that's funny...cuz it's never happened to you...took 4 stitches right above the eye in pretty much that exact manner...Exit Signs, Ceiling fans, and those f**kin' metal bar hydraulic door closers were all created my Oompa Loompas...

Sorry BDL, with me being vertically challenged. I'd be unable to hit that sign, if I ran and jumped at it head first. So I find it hilarious, but I'm twisted like that.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

Sorry BDL, with me being vertically challenged. I'd be unable to hit that sign, if I ran and jumped at it head first. So I find it hilarious, but I'm twisted like that.

...lol...no worries, amigo; just having a laugh as well as projecting my dislike of all things head-height that most people don't need to worry about...my wife, who's 5 feet right on the nose, even laughs her arse off when I smoke my damn head on something that she can't even reach...I get my revenge when I hide all the good snacks in the cupboard above the fridge, though, cuz she can't even see what's in there...

 

[Bee Holder]

The new NHL games are ass, all the playing modes suck. So I tried to play HUT. Son... I loaded my credit card and couldn't crack division 3. Damn you EA!

"Yesterday at 1:18 am"

Ahh, makes sense

 

[26Mats]

If I'm the Habs, Hughes have to know Struble intentions and trade his rights to a Struble favorite team.

I don't know if Struble has much trade value. I would guess the plan is to take our chances with the Struble-Hughes connection and the lure of playing inthe NHL right away when Northeastern gets eliminated.

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

I don't know if Struble has much trade value. I would guess the plan is to take our chances with the Struble-Hughes connection and the lure of playing inthe NHL right away when Northeastern gets eliminated.

his he even close to being NHL ready tho? i havent really been following him but from what i heard he hasnt done much since we drafted him

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Has he grown yet?

Just checking.

 

[26Mats]

his he even close to being NHL ready tho? i havent really been following him but from what i heard he hasnt done much since we drafted him

At the end of the year when we're out of the playoffs a game or two won't matter.

 

[Habs10Habs]

Has he grown yet?

Just checking.

Every time this thread moves. I click on it to see any updates.

 

[Runner77]

Every time this thread moves. I click on it to see any updates.

Lemme guess … you’re looking for this:

 

[Dutronc]

Lemme guess … you’re looking for this:

this gif is pure gold

 

[Skip Bayless]

As much as you people talk about his upside and whatnot, the real focus should be on bi-monthly measurements.

 

[Tyson]

Jared Spurgeon drafted in 2008 is 5'9 and barely 170.
He has put together a solid career including being the current Captain of the Wild.

Hutson needs time to get stronger

 

[Scriptor]

He has longer arms too lol.

Means nothing. Had a friend who topped out at 5'9" and had the arms of someone over 6-Feet. Helped him in boxing, though...

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Jared Spurgeon drafted in 2008 is 5'9 and barely 170.
He has put together a solid career including being the current Captain of the Wild.

Hutson needs time to get stronger

When you have a prospect with Hutson’s skills, you allow him all the time he needs to fill out. I foresee a power play with Hutson at one point and Mailloux on the other. Something to look forward to.