I don’t see the other guys that much, other than the highlights, so I can’t truly comment on their performance and what they actually mean to their teams performance.
I can comment on Hutson though, as I watch every Habs game. I think what he is accomplishing as a rookie defenseman, on a team that was one of the worst teams in the league (at one point), is extremely impressive and merits some serious consideration for ROTY.
Hutson didn’t start on the top powerplay. Hutson did not start on the top pairing. He forced the team to play him in those spots because he was just that good. He is usually playing either the most or second most minutes out of all the defensemen on the Habs, as a greatly undersized rookie. That’s incredibly impressive. Playing the harder position AND putting up more points than the other rookie forwards? That is incredibly impressive.
Hutson has made the Habs powerplay lethal, as he’s the QB, and he factors in the majority of the Habs scoring in that regard. He’s on a current 9 game point streak which also coincides with the best hockey the Habs have been playing this season.
Bottom line is that there are few players that affect the overall success of their teams dramatically… and Hutson is one of them, as a rookie. I’ve been watching the Habs for more decades than I care to remember, and I can’t remember one where a rookie defenseman came in and was this crucial to the overall performance of the team. I suppose Chelios would merit some consideration, and even then he didn’t lead all rookies in scoring.
He’s the real deal, and it’s pretty stunning how easily he became a number one defenseman so quickly.
As I wrote previously, no disrespect or criticism towards any of the other fine rookies. I just don’t see enough of them to be a fair judge of abilities. I can say that Hutson is in some elite company as far as what he’s accomplished to date as a rookie, and I won’t be surprised if he hits the 60 point mark. I think he should win it hands down for the previously mentioned arguments, but I realize my scope is limited and understand I’m not as knowledgeable on the others.