Prospect Info: Caps Prospects General Discussion Thread - 2024-25

[Melkor]

You seem to continue to miss the point (or choose to ignore the point) that Hutson himself may want to go back to school. Caps can't force him to sign a contract.

IF Hutson wants to sign, then we can talk about the Caps finding a spot for him. But that's a massive IF at this stage, and I have not seen any serious media chatter that anyone expects him to sign right away. Conversely, I have seen media chatter that he will likely return to BU next year.

Unless I see a quote of his from a serious source where he states he doesn't want to turn pro next season, all that chatter is bunch of BS the main goal of which is to push the narrative that benefits the organization's goals. Show me where he said he'd like to stay in college. If he doesn't want to pursue a degree and be there at least for the next 3 years, I'm very curious what he's gonna do there past this season.

 

[Kazer]

Unless I see a quote of his from a serious source where he states he doesn't want to turn pro next season, all that chatter is bunch of BS the main goal of which is to push the narrative that benefits the organization's goals. Show me where he said he'd like to stay in college. If he doesn't want to pursue a degree and be there at least for the next 3 years, I'm very curious what he's gonna do there past this season.

Probably the best source I've seen. A serious source in the drafting world who would have some insight into BU's thinking and expectations. Further, there was significantly more chatter from media (both local & national) about Leonard signing last year which he ultimately didn't. Always room for surprises of course.

 

[Lou Sassole]

You seem to continue to miss the point (or choose to ignore the point) that Hutson himself may want to go back to school. Caps can't force him to sign a contract.

IF Hutson wants to sign, then we can talk about the Caps finding a spot for him. But that's a massive IF at this stage, and I have not seen any serious media chatter that anyone expects him to sign right away. Conversely, I have seen media chatter that he will likely return to BU next year.

Exactly, he's already alluded to the fact that he will be back at BU while his older brother Quinn will be turning Pro after the season.

 

[Langway]

LHJMQ

chl.ca

Another Mateik-goal.

 

[qcal1427]

Unless I see a quote of his from a serious source where he states he doesn't want to turn pro next season, all that chatter is bunch of BS the main goal of which is to push the narrative that benefits the organization's goals. Show me where he said he'd like to stay in college. If he doesn't want to pursue a degree and be there at least for the next 3 years, I'm very curious what he's gonna do there past this season.

He's going to have another fun year as a 19yo in college on a really good team where he knows he's in an extremely good place for his development (and he'll also probably get some NIL money too). Once again: Makar, Werenski, Q. Hughes, L. Hughes, L. Hutson, Buium all played two years of NCAA hockey. Adam Fox played three.

There is no "narrative." There is only a very normal, extremely well-travelled path that should cause absolutely no controversy or angst whatsoever.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Look like Western has this one…

 

[Cush]

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Beyond getting more strength, I don’t see much of a reason for Hutson to stay another year but I’m sure he will for the experience and I don’t blame him.

 

[usiel]

That behind the back pass to Hutson's brother driving the net was amazing even though it wasn't a goal.

Unfortunate puck bounce over Hutson's stick let to that 4th goal but got hope the goalie can stop that one.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Beyond getting more strength, I don’t see much of a reason for Hutson to stay another year but I’m sure he will for the experience and I don’t blame him.

Other than just going and being a kid one more year, adding strength….but if it was between Hershey and Boston I’m picking Boston.

Would be awesome if he wanted to sign early, participate in what could be Ovechkin’s last season.

 

[Cush]

Protas Jr w/ 2 assists

 

[usiel]

Beyond getting more strength, I don’t see much of a reason for Hutson to stay another year but I’m sure he will for the experience and I don’t blame him.

As they are probably losing this game he might want to do the same thing Leonard did for wanting to stay another season. Not sure if BU is losing some critical players but they are bringing in some good freshman.

 

[Lou Sassole]

Poor Yegorov picked a bad night to have an off game. He's been great since joining the team mid-season.

 

[Cush]

Hutson left off the "All Tournament" team

 

[TheSmokingMan]

Hutson was driving most of BU's best offensive chances. He played almost the entire third period. He's going to be a gamechanger when he makes the jump to Washington. I don't think he'll need much time in Hershey before he's NHL ready.

 

[Langway]

As they are probably losing this game he might want to do the same thing Leonard did for wanting to stay another season. Not sure if BU is losing some critical players but they are bringing in some good freshman.

Willander is seemingly gone. As are Greene and Lachance as was also mentioned in the broadcast. Quinn Hutson was very quiet in the final but will be another loss. Yegorov would be the key one. Does he return for a full season? I would think so but I guess you never know what NJD wants to do as far as accelerating him in the pros. Better to be patient but, again, you never know.

Western really earned that one. Very hard-charging bunch that had BU on their back foot from the beginning. Really forechecking team that pressured really well. BU was fortunate it was as close as it was leading up to those couple of Hutson-created chances in the third. While BU will get many freshmen from the NTDP next season it's not an amazing class. Boumedienne should continue to improve albeit not alongside Willander so the load will be bigger. Hughes is gone.

Eiserman-Hutson-Yegorov should be their backbone but they'll need to sort out their center depth. They'll seemingly add Boisvert as a transfer and local Trethewey perhaps could step into the Willander role to a lesser extent. Overall they'll lose key secondary experience so we'll see. There's been some Misa talk so perhaps they add him or some other talent late but overall not sure they'll have enough grizzled experience. Their formula would be a bit different but they're still seemingly as good a bet as any if that trio returns and some of their new players get up to speed quick.

 

[wickedwitch]

I had assumed that the Caps would sign Hutson to an ELC in a year, get him a few games in the NHL that spring, but send him to Hershey to start the 2026-2027 season. I no longer think that.

Based on what Hutson's done in the 2nd half, I think the Caps need to start thinking about him not going to Hershey if he signs at the end of next season. Not that he couldn't develop in Hershey, but he's going to be good enough to not need time there and to be able to go straight to the NHL. I think he's arguably NHL ready today; he'll certainly be in a year. Obviously, his offense is fantastic but his defense is already good. He was BU's go-to PKer on the left. He's smart and physical. In a year, he'll be stronger and his defense will be even better. So while I don't think it would hurt for him to go to Hershey, I think he'll be fine going straight to the NHL too. And he'll have the leverage to get that.

Based on stuff the stuff his family is said regarding Lane, I think Cole is a) going to want an opportunity to be on PP1 and b) be willing to not sign to get it. The Caps have Chychrun. So they'll have to be willing to give him PP2 time immediately (which wouldn't be undeserved) so he has a shot of earning PP1 time. My guess is he has enough confidence that he'll be okay with "only" PP2 to start, because he'll have the opportunity to show he deserves PP1 time if he gets PP2 time. But he'll need the opportunity.

If the Caps aren't willing to do this for him in a year (i.e. no time in Hershey, time on the PP to start the season), then they should seriously think about trading him this summer.

(I also would try to sign him now, but I don't think that's going to happen.)

 

[um]

I had assumed that the Caps would sign Hutson to an ELC in a year, get him a few games in the NHL that spring, but send him to Hershey to start the 2026-2027 season. I no longer think that.

Based on what Hutson's done in the 2nd half, I think the Caps need to start thinking about him not going to Hershey if he signs at the end of next season. Not that he couldn't develop in Hershey, but he's going to be good enough to not need time there and to be able to go straight to the NHL. I think he's arguably NHL ready today; he'll certainly be in a year. Obviously, his offense is fantastic but his defense is already good. He was BU's go-to PKer on the left. He's smart and physical. In a year, he'll be stronger and his defense will be even better. So while I don't think it would hurt for him to go to Hershey, I think he'll be fine going straight to the NHL too. And he'll have the leverage to get that.

Based on stuff the stuff his family is said regarding Lane, I think Cole is a) going to want an opportunity to be on PP1 and b) be willing to not sign to get it. The Caps have Chychrun. So they'll have to be willing to give him PP2 time immediately (which wouldn't be undeserved) so he has a shot of earning PP1 time. My guess is he has enough confidence that he'll be okay with "only" PP2 to start, because he'll have the opportunity to show he deserves PP1 time if he gets PP2 time. But he'll need the opportunity.

If the Caps aren't willing to do this for him in a year (i.e. no time in Hershey, time on the PP to start the season), then they should seriously think about trading him this summer.

(I also would try to sign him now, but I don't think that's going to happen.)

What the f***?

 

[wickedwitch]

What the f***?

TLDR: he's really, really good, which gives him a ton of leverage. It's a good problem.

 

[bacchist]

I don't like the idea of a rookie that's never played an NHL game being willing to walk away if he isn't immediately given PP1. That's frankly absurd.

This is the NHL. Everyone out there was a star at some point. Best player on their team, maybe even whatever league they were in. If you make it to the highest level, you have to prove yourself all over again.

 

[wickedwitch]

I don't like the idea of a rookie that's never played an NHL game being willing to walk away if he isn't immediately given PP1. That's frankly absurd.

This is the NHL. Everyone out there was a star at some point. Best player on their team, maybe even whatever league they were in. If you make it to the highest level, you have to prove yourself all over again.

To be clear, he's going to want an opportunity to earn PP1 immediately, which he would do by playing well on PP2.

 

[Silky mitts]

I expect Hutson to insist on starting his career on the Caps, but I can’t imagine the balls it would take to verbalize I deserve a shot to replace Ovy as LD on PP1 day 1.
IIRC in the WJC Buium started on the PP1 unit with Hutson on PP2 under Carle and it flipped a few games in, certainly capable of earning the job.

 

[wickedwitch]

I expect Hutson to insist on starting his career on the Caps, but I can’t imagine the balls it would take to verbalize I deserve a shot to replace Ovy as LD on PP1 day 1

He wouldn't be replacing Ovi. He'd be in place of Sandin/Chychrun/Carlson. They'll keep a right shot for the Ovi spot. Hutson is LH. And again, he would be hoping to earn PP1 time by playing well on PP2 to start.

In my head, in the 2026-2027 season to start:
PP1 - Leonard/Wilson/Chychrun/Dubois/Strome
PP2 - Miro/Carlson/Hutson/Protas/McMichael

(I think Carlson re-signs. If Ovi re-signs, move Wilson or Leonard to PP2 and take Miro off.)

ETA: maybe Cristall over Protas/McMichael?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I had assumed that the Caps would sign Hutson to an ELC in a year, get him a few games in the NHL that spring, but send him to Hershey to start the 2026-2027 season. I no longer think that.

Based on what Hutson's done in the 2nd half, I think the Caps need to start thinking about him not going to Hershey if he signs at the end of next season. Not that he couldn't develop in Hershey, but he's going to be good enough to not need time there and to be able to go straight to the NHL. I think he's arguably NHL ready today; he'll certainly be in a year. Obviously, his offense is fantastic but his defense is already good. He was BU's go-to PKer on the left. He's smart and physical. In a year, he'll be stronger and his defense will be even better. So while I don't think it would hurt for him to go to Hershey, I think he'll be fine going straight to the NHL too. And he'll have the leverage to get that.

Based on stuff the stuff his family is said regarding Lane, I think Cole is a) going to want an opportunity to be on PP1 and b) be willing to not sign to get it. The Caps have Chychrun. So they'll have to be willing to give him PP2 time immediately (which wouldn't be undeserved) so he has a shot of earning PP1 time. My guess is he has enough confidence that he'll be okay with "only" PP2 to start, because he'll have the opportunity to show he deserves PP1 time if he gets PP2 time. But he'll need the opportunity.

If the Caps aren't willing to do this for him in a year (i.e. no time in Hershey, time on the PP to start the season), then they should seriously think about trading him this summer.

(I also would try to sign him now, but I don't think that's going to happen.)

This is nonsense if true….the minute a draftee starts threatening to not sign because he wants to be gifted places on the team, is the time I start looking to move him.

 

[Corby78]

I had assumed that the Caps would sign Hutson to an ELC in a year, get him a few games in the NHL that spring, but send him to Hershey to start the 2026-2027 season. I no longer think that.

Based on what Hutson's done in the 2nd half, I think the Caps need to start thinking about him not going to Hershey if he signs at the end of next season. Not that he couldn't develop in Hershey, but he's going to be good enough to not need time there and to be able to go straight to the NHL. I think he's arguably NHL ready today; he'll certainly be in a year. Obviously, his offense is fantastic but his defense is already good. He was BU's go-to PKer on the left. He's smart and physical. In a year, he'll be stronger and his defense will be even better. So while I don't think it would hurt for him to go to Hershey, I think he'll be fine going straight to the NHL too. And he'll have the leverage to get that.

Based on stuff the stuff his family is said regarding Lane, I think Cole is a) going to want an opportunity to be on PP1 and b) be willing to not sign to get it. The Caps have Chychrun. So they'll have to be willing to give him PP2 time immediately (which wouldn't be undeserved) so he has a shot of earning PP1 time. My guess is he has enough confidence that he'll be okay with "only" PP2 to start, because he'll have the opportunity to show he deserves PP1 time if he gets PP2 time. But he'll need the opportunity.

If the Caps aren't willing to do this for him in a year (i.e. no time in Hershey, time on the PP to start the season), then they should seriously think about trading him this summer.

(I also would try to sign him now, but I don't think that's going to happen.)

No thank you