Lane Hutson Burgeoning Star Watch
- Thread starter Pavel Buchnevich
- Start date
Thre's going to be a lot of chat and opinions about this player, the truth is that he's taking over the NHL.
JianYang
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2017
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His agility and edgework appear to be top notch, and his hands are able to keep up with it.
I have seen some people question his straight line speed though.
- Apr 27, 2005
- 35,398
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Kid's a magician with the puck on his stick. Great pick by Hughes.
- Apr 27, 2005
- 35,398
- 34,144
His straight line speed isn't too much of a problem, and he'll naturally get faster as he matures.
His biggest issue is really his backwards skating and transitions from forwards to backwards. While it's definitely something that is fixable, it's been a pretty big weakness of his that has been exploited by bigger, faster forwards. So unlike most smaller dmen (who are great transition skaters, and excellent at defending laterally), Hutson can be prone to getting beaten to the outside in 1v1 situations and has a hard time keeping tight gaps at the blue line.
Aside from that, his defensive shortcomings aren't anything you don't see from most younger, smaller dmen (weaker on the puck in the corners, struggling to box out around the net etc). And he's already pretty elite at evading pressure on the forecheck to allow for clean break outs.
I don't suspect he'll ever be even average defensively, but so long as he can get the to 20th to 30th percentile there, he'll be a star. He's such a talented puck mover and blue line walker that he'll more than make up for his defensive weaknesses.
He's the kind of dynamic talent who you just live / mitigate with his defensive deficiencies because the upside is so incredible. He's the type of defenseman that makes everyone on the dangerous. He'll be a high event player, but just pair him with a steady stay at home top 4 RD and give him favorable deployments and you're golden.
All that said, I do think he's at risk of getting a bit more exposed when the Habs start making the playoffs, especially in heavy, tight checking playoff series. So that's just something the Habs will have to keep in mind - he may need some extra sheltering at 5v5 in those situations.
- Mar 10, 2010
- 35,563
- 33,942
In my micro sample size that is the sytlistic vibe I get off him too. Obviously both really small guys but he appears to be a dynamic game changer with the puck on his stick. As a neutral fan when your team isn’t playing early Saturday night on HNIC its been a while since I tuned in to watch the Habs but this kid has a bit of that swagger that draws you in to watching.
I know the prospect pissing matches (especially in Canada) can get out of control but I will turn down the dial on that part of the circus and check out Lane’s overall game when I get more of a chance.
SensontheRush
Never said it was Sunshine
He's definitely a star in the making, but teams also haven't studied him yet, nor are they being that aggressive trying to hit him. Sooner or later, teams are going to be taking liberties and rocking him with "late" hits. Then, we will see just how well he handles the rigours of the NHL.
I'm sorry, tell me again who is leading all rookies in goal scoring? Yeah, I thought so.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
He's not a burner, but neither is Adam Fox. Not saying Hutson is at that level, but you don't have to be a speed merchant to be a good skater and be effective. I think his size/strength will be more of a factor.
Canucks LB
My Favourite, Gone too soon, RIP Luc, We miss you
- Oct 12, 2008
- 78,817
- 33,706
Why can’t people just sit down on the couch, tune into a few Montréal Canadiens games, because within a couple games, you will already see just by natural ability and the eye test, he’s a special player
For the first time in forever, Habs games are actually worth tuning in. Huston is a damn fun player to watch
AD1066
Registered User
- Sep 30, 2011
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Time and time again GMs let top-10 talents fall in the draft because they're undersized.
Granted, Hutson is tiny, but I'd still take that chance over almost anything else you're likely to find in the 2nd round.
Prairie Habs
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- Oct 3, 2010
- 12,276
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Kulak is a solid player and fair value for a 62nd overall pick, but if Edmonton would have kept their pick and used it on hutson he would look amazing on that team.
I Hate Philadelphia
Registered User
-4 tonight against the horrendous Pens. Guy cannot play defense AT ALL.
Agent Zuuuub
Registered User
- Jan 2, 2015
- 15,282
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It's ok to call him a star after 3 games but not ok to mention anything when he has a bad game?
neither did Quinn Hughes in his first few seasons
and hes a -1 over 4 games with 8 blocked shots.
That said, the Letang goal was a consequence of him losing after bring the puck in behind the net. Right now hes creating a lot of scoring chances, and a lot that is from high risk plays. He'll learn quickly that it may not always work as well in the NHL.
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Agent Zuuuub
Registered User
- Jan 2, 2015
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He is a star, he's also 20 year old d who needs to work on his defense.
As a Pens fan I was impressed with Hutson tonight. Very dynamic with the puck on his stick.
It will take him some time to figure out the rest of the things an NHL defenseman needs to do but you can't teach the skill set that he already has.
It will take him some time to figure out the rest of the things an NHL defenseman needs to do but you can't teach the skill set that he already has.
You ask Canucks fans and every single one of them will tell you they didn't think Hughes would be this good defensively.
However, he's been good enough and even if he doesn't improve defensively (He definitely will with the question being how much), he's still an all-star caliber player.
Hudson is unbelievable with the puck. His agility is crazy. Especially for a 20 year old. Habs got a good one here.
he had a great rookie season offensively, no doubt, but I remember many questioning his defense.
had one of the worst +/- on the team
That's such a false narrative about Quinn. The only season he struggled was in the North division when the whole team sucked and his partner really sucked.
You can go as far back as college and defence was never really a weakness. The world's as an 18 year old he played big minutes and wasn't on the ice for a goal.
The way the announcers incessantly gushed over him to the ridiculous ooghs and awws when he quite literally took the puck from behinds his net was so manufactured like he's just literally standing behind the net with the puck.
He had a bad night it happens but more worrying was how he showed some real lack of skating back and how he defended while doing it.
At 20 Quinn had flaws like everyone does but they were very fixable flaws, especially since his skating usually covered it.
With Lane he's having trouble with the basic fundamentals of playing defense that should not be anywhere near an NHL Dman.
Since hab fans keep bringing up Hughes despite them being very different players and often not even saying things that are true they should really go back and watch clips from his rookie season, and the world's the summer prior.
Cheers.
swiftwin
★SUMMER.OF.STEVE★
- Jul 26, 2005
- 24,215
- 13,930
Exactly. He's a 20 year old rookie. Not a Norris candidate like Habs fans are making him out to be.
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