Lane Hutson Burgeoning Star Watch

TheDoldrums

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May 3, 2016
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I don't see anything wrong with his compete level on that play. He got beat that's it. But I guess compete lvl isn't something you're used to see as a leafs fan

The Leafs have a great compete level under Berube actually, there’s been only one game this season (against Columbus) where they were clearly outworked. Montreal looks like they don’t care and might be creating a dysfunctional/toxic environment for their young players. You don’t want to become Buffalo.
 
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Lafleurs Guy

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He is a great skater and offensively talented. He is subpar at defense. If he can fix that, likely in the minors, he'll be a great player.
He will always have physical limitations. He won't be a guy you rely on to clear the crease for example. But defensively he's actually pretty good at chipping pucks away. And as small as he is, he's got a lot of fight in him. Caufield is similar in this respect. Limited physically but they stay engaged and are pretty good at stripping pucks.

He's not the fastest skater but he's incredibly shifty. Highly deceptive player and I haven't really seen a skater play that way before. Really unique style of play.

I can't believe how good he's been as a raw rookie. He's very consistent and generates offense on almost every shift. He's not really a rushing guy in the vein of a PK Subban but he can definitely lead the rush and his vision and passing is spectacular.
 
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Andy

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Jun 26, 2008
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20 year old offensive D, playing 23 minutes a night in his rookie season. He's going to make mistakes on the defensive side of the game. And as a rookie he really isn't bad at all. He's been pretty good. Plus, he more than makes up for it on the offensive side.

As @Lafleurs Guy mentioned, I don't think i've even seen a playing style like his. He is incredibly deceptive and shifty. I never expect what he's going to do, and I have no idea how he manages to create space where there is absolutely none.

In theory, he should only get better as he adapts to the game.
 

Lafleurs Guy

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20 year old offensive D, playing 23 minutes a night in his rookie season. He's going to make mistakes on the defensive side of the game. And as a rookie he really isn't bad at all. He's been pretty good. Plus, he more than makes up for it on the offensive side.

As @Lafleurs Guy mentioned, I don't think i've even seen a playing style like his. He is incredibly deceptive and shifty. I never expect what he's going to do, and I have no idea how he manages to create space where there is absolutely none.

In theory, he should only get better as he adapts to the game.
It is amazing how good he is at creating open space. He finds the most open player and it's a precision pass right there.
 
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Andy

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It is amazing how good he is at creating open space. He finds the most open player and it's a precision pass right there.
For me, it's when he's completely boxed out on the half wall, and you're like, f***, he's going to lose possession. But no, he makes a shoulder fake and slides right into open ice 9/10, then makes a tape-to-tape cross ice pass. I don't even understand.
 

SannywithoutCompy

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Dec 22, 2020
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Dummies posting video of Hutson getting burned on a play is hilarious. It's the NHL, every defenseman gets burned sometimes. Look through highlight reels of the 90s and 2000s and you'll see a lot of Lidstrom. Look through ones of the last decade and you'll see plenty Slavin and Hedman.

Also just to pre-empt the aforementioned dummies: no, this is not me saying Hutson is Lidstrom or Slavin or Hedman defensively.

He's also not terrible defensively because he occasionally gets burned or dogs it at the end of a long shift in a 7-1 game.
 

TheDoldrums

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May 3, 2016
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(reaping, posting positive clips): haha, yeah!!! Yes!!

(sowing, seeing negative clips): well this sucks. What the hell.

this is the general board. I don't know why some people constantly whine when there is anything but uninhibited gushing about the player. This is normal.
 

Xirik

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Sep 24, 2014
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I think a good comparison for Hutson is Nicklas Bäckström but as a defenseman. Both are assist machines but allergic to goals.
 

Lafleurs Guy

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He's Denis Savard's second coming but somehow as a defenseman
Different kind of player. Savard was super flashy with the puck. Dipsy doodle around guys... Hutson's got a different style. I can't put my finger on it, I don't think I've ever seen somebody quite like him before. Very deceptive and lots of headfakes but he's not going to do those crazy spineramma moves. He just gets the defense going the other way, stops and then passes off to a wide open player. He gets everyone chasing him and then drops it out to somebody open. It's really cool to watch.
 

Auston Marlander

I was in the pool!!
Nov 3, 2011
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He will always have physical limitations. He won't be a guy you rely on to clear the crease for example. But defensively he's actually pretty good at chipping pucks away. And as small as he is, he's got a lot of fight in him. Caufield is similar in this respect. Limited physically but they stay engaged and are pretty good at stripping pucks.

He's not the fastest skater but he's incredibly shifty. Highly deceptive player and I haven't really seen a skater play that way before. Really unique style of play.

I can't believe how good he's been as a raw rookie. He's very consistent and generates offense on almost every shift. He's not really a rushing guy in the vein of a PK Subban but he can definitely lead the rush and his vision and passing is spectacular.

For me it seems to be a defensive IQ thing, which is something that can be taught. Just seems to be a bit behind in knowing where to be/makes the wrong decision in his own zone.

That said I'd take him on my take as a rookie 10 time out of 10.

Ridiculous take.

He is not subpar defensively.
He absolutely is. Both to the eye test and the numbers.

It seems to be a defensive IQ issue. Which can be taught, and he has lots of time. He isn't a perfect prospect And to pretend otherwise is dishonest.
 
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dgibb10

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Feb 29, 2024
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Anyway, still sub 40% expected goals share.
Screenshot 2024-11-12 at 10.58.46 PM.png
 

dgibb10

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Feb 29, 2024
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Anyway, still 10x the points Luke has.
When you give it all back and more the other way does it matter?

For example, Casey was pacing for 82 points if given Hutson's minutes, but it didn't matter because he was also getting caved in defensively. Hence why he was sent down.
 

TheKrebsCycle

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Jun 1, 2011
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Habs probably drafted one of the best if not the best dman of the draft with a late 2nd. Ready to burn your village for a long time
Looks like he’ll be a lot better than the guy they drafted 5 th overall recently . So impressive and disappointing outcomes ; maybe they balance the scales
 

NikolaTesla

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Aug 2, 2009
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When you give it all back and more the other way does it matter?

For example, Casey was pacing for 82 points if given Hutson's minutes, but it didn't matter because he was also getting caved in defensively. Hence why he was sent down.
Thats not how it works and you know it.
 

Baksfamous112

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Jul 21, 2016
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When you give it all back and more the other way does it matter?

For example, Casey was pacing for 82 points if given Hutson's minutes, but it didn't matter because he was also getting caved in defensively. Hence why he was sent down.
And Mailloux would be pacing for 95 points if given Luke minutes. See how easy it is
 
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DueDiligence

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Nov 16, 2013
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The Leafs have a great compete level under Berube actually, there’s been only one game this season (against Columbus) where they were clearly outworked. Montreal looks like they don’t care and might be creating a dysfunctional/toxic environment for their young players. You don’t want to become Buffalo.
Make it 2 after the Sens whipped their butts tonight.
 
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