Lane Hutson Burgeoning Star Watch

[SannywithoutCompy]

read enough posts from the largest hockey (given sport) fanbase on the planet and you will read a lot of homerish and wishful thinking posts. Bouboumaster *ahem*.....Toronto (Robertson, Liljegren) and Vancouver fans (Podkolzin, Hoglander) had their own as well.

That said I think its a little unfair to judge Dach after missing a full season with a very significant injury. He may never recover for all we know. Scoring 38P in 58GP in 22-23 was no fluke.

Yeah I don't know that he'll ever be the same player he was, but his confidence is absolutely shot at this point.

Back to the topic, it's weird to read some of the comments in here and a lot of them on Twitter. I get it's the same as with any other sport or with any other star players (or good players, or whatever you personally rate Hutson as), but the impulse of people to shit on players who make the game entertaining is really weird to me, considering that's what the sport is supposed to be at the end of the day.

It's like going to an action movie and rolling your eyes or booing when a fight scene or car chase happens lol

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

You can look at goals, play driving, points, watch him play, anything.

The kid is so good he is helping to drive the tank by having the 2nd most ice time on the 5th worst team.

Montreal has a worse point % this year.

He is nowhere near what Montreal fans think he is, but he is a very good prospect.

Montreal fans have every reason to be excited about Hutson. He'll never be an elite defensive player, but he can become an elite OFD with a passable defensive game, which is still incredibly valuable.

 

[notbias]

Montreal fans have every reason to be excited about Hutson. He'll never be an elite defensive player, but he can become an elite OFD with a passable defensive game, which is still incredibly valuable.

I agree that he could become that, something like prime Ghost/Deangelo, that'd be a huge win.

I'm not reading that here though.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I agree that he could become that, something like prime Ghost/Deangelo, that'd be a huge win.

I'm not reading that there though.

He's got a higher upside than those two, both offensively and defensively.

 

[notbias]

He's got a higher upside than those two, both offensively and defensively.

What is his NHL comparison realistic upside?

You're talking like he is going to be Quinn Hughes.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

What is his NHL comparison realistic upside?

You're talking like he is going to be Quinn Hughes.

I think he's got poor man Quinn Hughes upside. Not as good defensively, but 70+ points is doable.

 

[notbias]

I think he's got poor man Quinn Hughes upside. Not as good defensively, but 70+ points is doable.

So something like a peak Ghost/DeAngelo? Maybe slightly more offensive upside...

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

So something like a peak Ghost/DeAngelo? Maybe slightly more offensive upside...

And a better defensive game, mostly from his puck moving ability out of the d zone.

 

[amnesiac]

I agree that he could become that, something like prime Ghost/Deangelo, that'd be a huge win.

I'm not reading that here though.

seeing what hes doing in his first 31 NHL games, he will be closer to the Fox/Hughes tier than the Ghost/Deangelo tier one day. Time will tell, but like Hughes he can only improve with experience, AND will obviously put a few more pounds on.

Hes already doing things we only see the best int he world do in terms of stick handling, dangling, puck control, etc. Its very high risk, but so far hes not coughing up the puck too too much. Hes really fun to watch.

THat all said, NHL defenders will learn how to defend him knowing who he is now. Its a question of how HUtson will adapt in turn, ie: his hockey IQ.

 

[notbias]

And a better defensive game, mostly from his puck moving ability out of the d zone.

He is currently 15th in the league out of 250 D for the highest xGA/60.

This is 2nd highest on his team.

His puck possession/moving doesn't lead to anything good yet, if he can figure it out, maybe this will be true.

seeing what hes doing in his first 31 NHL games, he will be closer to the Fox/Hughes tier than the Ghost/Deangelo tier. Time will tell, but like Hughes he can only improve with experience, AND will obviously put a few more pounds on.

You think he will be closer to Norris level than considered one of the best offensive D in the league?

Interesting opinion, I disagree.

 

[amnesiac]

Yeah I don't know that he'll ever be the same player he was, but his confidence is absolutely shot at this point.

Back to the topic, it's weird to read some of the comments in here and a lot of them on Twitter. I get it's the same as with any other sport or with any other star players (or good players, or whatever you personally rate Hutson as), but the impulse of people to shit on players who make the game entertaining is really weird to me, considering that's what the sport is supposed to be at the end of the day.

It's like going to an action movie and rolling your eyes or booing when a fight scene or car chase happens lol

its just jealously.... Matthews gets the same in Toronto from many Habs fans. Thats sports.

 

[amnesiac]

He is currently 15th in the league out of 250 D for the highest xGA/60.

This is 2nd highest on his team.

His puck possession/moving doesn't lead to anything good yet, if he can figure it out, maybe this will be true.



You think he will be closer to Norris level than considered one of the best offensive D in the league?

Interesting opinion, I disagree.

again, I think when he adds say 10 lbs and gains more experience, I dont see why he couldnt be closer to that tier. I dont even recall Hughes having this kind of puck handling/dangling skill in his rookie year, although his skating was probably better than Hutson's.... Tell yourself hes on one of the worst teams in the league right now, and doesnt have a Tanev to support him either.

his small 163 lbs size hasnt even been a factor. Hes so quick that hes evading bodychecks.

But comparing to Deangelo? He was a trainwreck defensively, and was done after les than 4-5 seasons. Hutson is not. He'll get a better shot too in due time.

 

[notbias]

again, I think when he adds say 10 lbs and gains more experience, I dont see why he couldnt be closer to that tier. I dont even recall Hughes having this kind of puck handling/dangling skill in his rookie year, alhtough his skating was probably better than Huton's.

But comparing to Deangelo? He was a trainwreck defensively. Hutson is not. He'll get a better shot too in due time.

Hutson is a perimeter player, I don't think many players have tried to do what he does because it is not effective.

Dangling to the outside is not a desired skill, he still has trouble breaking into the middle of the ice, it may happen, but puck possession is useless if you aren't attacking.

Hutson is the 15th worst in the league at xGA/60... I won't go check, but I am assuming that is worse than DeAngelo in most seasons.

No one can point to stats outside of possession that lead to Hutson having this upside, and his highlights are largely the same, a lot of possession, rarely ending with quality chances (they happen), but when he starts turning the inconsistent quality chances into a more consistent thing, then I'll start considering someone like Hughes.

If he puts on weight to be better defensively, will his skating suffer?

 

[amnesiac]

Hutson is a perimeter player, I don't think many players have tried to do what he does because it is not effective.

Dangling to the outside is not a desired skill, he still has trouble breaking into the middle of the ice, it may happen, but puck possession is useless if you aren't attacking.

Hutson is the 15th worst in the league at xGA/60... I won't go check, but I am assuming that is worse than DeAngelo in most seasons.

No one can point to stats outside of possession that lead to Hutson having this upside.

I dont think you watch him enough. Perimeter or not, bottom line is that he creates high danger scoring chances every other shift, and Im not exaggerating. He'd honestly have 5-10 more assists if the Habs could finish.

Go through the all vids posted here, youll get an idea. People look at his +/- and automatically think hes bad in his own end. If you play big minutes on a bad team, youll be a minus (and apparently a lot are from empty net goals).

THe Hughes comparison is legit, but Hughes elevated his game tremendously in his 3rd year. Time will tell if Lane can do the same.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

I dont think you watch him enough. Perimeter or not, bottom line is that he creates high danger scoring chances every other shift, and Im not exaggerating. He'd honestly have 5-10 more assists if the Habs could finish.

Go through the all vids posted here, youll get an idea. People look at his +/- and automatically think hes bad in his own end. If you play big minutes on a bad team, youll be a minus (and apparently a lot are from empty net goals)

I don't think he watches him at all, considering Hutson leads the league in slot passes lmao

 

[notbias]

I dont think you watch him enough. He creates a high danger scoring chances every other shift, and Im not exaggerating. He'd honestly have 10 more assists if the Habs could finish.

Go through the all vids posted here, youll get an idea. People look at his +/- and automatically think hes bad in his own end. If you play big minutes on a bad team, youll be a minus. (and apparently a lot that is from empty net goals)

That's simply not true... per 60 there are 2.21 high danger chances when he is on the ice.

He is tied with Whitecloud for 151st out of all D.

This is partially because of his team, but your eyes are clearly deceiving you if you think that he is producing that many HDCF.

I've posted nothing related to +/-, I am posting something that takes into account all chances against and the quality of them and produces a number to compare against the rest of the league, he is the 15th worst in that stat.

These are 5v5 stats, not 6v5 stats.

I've watched him enough to know that I am impressed with his skill and not impressed with how he uses it.

It's why I think he is a great prospect but an alright player so far, and I think he can put it together, not sure if he will, but there is potential.

I don't think he watches him at all, considering Hutson leads the league in slot passes lmao

Maybe you can refute some of the stats I posted.

I also watch him, I just don't wear Montreal glasses while I do.

 

[amnesiac]

That's simply not true... per 60 there are 2.21 high danger chances when he is on the ice.

He is tied with Whitecloud for 151st out of all D.

This is partially because of his team, but your eyes are clearly deceiving you if you think that he is producing that many HDCF.

I've posted nothing related to +/-, I am posting something that takes into account all chances against and the quality of them and produces a number to compare against the rest of the league, he is the 15th worst in that stat.

These are 5v5 stats, not 6v5 stats.

I've watched him enough to know that I am impressed with his skill and not impressed with how he uses it.

It's why I think he is a great prospect but an alright player so far, and I think he can put it together, not sure if he will, but there is potential.



Maybe you can refute some of the stats I posted.

I also watch him, I just don't wear Montreal glasses while I do.

you can post all the HDCF per 60 you want.... you need to watch, and I dont think you do.

If Zach Whitecloud of all people is creating just as many scoring chances than Hutson (based on this analytic stat), its because of the team he plays for. Not all analytics prove to be so accurate.... eg. goals saved above expected are still heavily weighed towards goalies playing in defensive teams/systems. Last year both FLA, WPG, and LA goalies were int he top 15. I guarantee thats a team stats more than it is an indvidual stat.

Anyway, agree to disagree at this point.

 

[notbias]

you can post all the HDCF per 60 you want.... you need to watch, and I dont think you do.

If Zach Whitecloud of all people is creating just as many scoring chances than Hutson (based on this analytic stat), its because of the team he plays for. Not all analytics prove to be so accurate.... eg. goals saved above expected are still heavily weighed towards goalies playing in defensive teams/systems.

Anyway, agree to disagree at this point.

We will agree to disagree, you watch the game from a perspective of wanting the player to succeed and you ignore stats, there isn't a discussion to be had.

Also, dismissing someone's eyes because you think your eyes know better is a silly argument, especially when you can't back up anything you say with stats.

 

[amnesiac]

We will agree to disagree, you watch the game from a perspective of wanting the player to succeed and you ignore stats, there isn't a discussion to be had.

Also, dismissing someone's eyes because you think your eyes know better is a silly argument, especially when you can't back up anything you say with stats.

I just showed you how these analytics can be deceiving with GA above expected. Last year both FLA, WPG, and LA goalies were int he top 15. I guarantee thats a team stats more than it is an individual stat. Do you not agree?

I mean, to me youre the one with cloudy judgement if youre basing his individual game on this ONE subjective advanced statistic without watching him gamein and game out.

ANd to think you believe Zach Whitecloud is just as dangerous. Cmon, guy..... again, understand hes playing on one of the worst teams in the league at close to 23 mins/game. Very similar to Hughes in his rookie season.

THe fact that hes even amassed 19 assists in 29 games on a team with just a few decent goalscorers so far (Caufield and Suzuki) is quite impressive, and would undoubtedly have more on a better team.

Understand youre one a very few to criticize his game this much. That should tell you something. Cant see your post history since you choose to hide it (for some strange reason).... but I wouldnt be surprised if you were MAYBE just maybe a Hab hater.

edit: yeah just saw your posts in the Caufield thread.... We know who you are now.

 

[dgibb10]

again, I think when he adds say 10 lbs and gains more experience, I dont see why he couldnt be closer to that tier. I dont even recall Hughes having this kind of puck handling/dangling skill in his rookie year, although his skating was probably better than Hutson's.... Tell yourself hes on one of the worst teams in the league right now, and doesnt have a Tanev to support him either.

his small 163 lbs size hasnt even been a factor. Hes so quick that hes evading bodychecks.

But comparing to Deangelo? He was a trainwreck defensively, and was done after les than 4-5 seasons. Hutson is not. He'll get a better shot too in due time.

I think trying to get "bigger" may do more harm than good to hutson's game.

He'll never be a physical presence, but if he loses shiftiness and elusiveness while trying to add size, it could take away from the things that seperate him from others offensively

 

[dgibb10]

I just showed you how these analytics can be deceiving with GA above expected. Last year both FLA, WPG, and LA goalies were int he top 15. I guarantee thats a team stats more than it is an individual stat. Do you not agree?

I mean, to me youre the one with cloudy judgement if youre basing his individual game on this ONE subjective advanced statistic without watching him gamein and game out.

ANd to think you believe Zach Whitecloud is just as dangerous. Cmon, guy..... again, understand hes playing on one of the worst teams in the league at close to 23 mins/game. Very similar to Hughes in his rookie season.

THe fact that hes even amassed 19 assists in 29 games on a team with just a few decent goalscorers so far (Caufield and Suzuki) is quite impressive, and would undoubtedly have more on a better team.

Understand youre one a very few to criticize his game this much. That should tell you something. Cant see your post history since you choose to hide it (for some strange reason).... but I wouldnt be surprised if you were MAYBE just maybe a Hab hater.

edit: yeah just saw your posts in the Caufield thread.... We know who you are now.

I just showed you how these analytics can be deceiving with GA above expected. Last year both FLA, WPG, and LA goalies were int he top 15. I guarantee thats a team stats more than it is an individual stat. Do you not agree?

Stolarz and Talbot both still rank top 15 this year on new teams tho?

I think fans of bad teams overestimate how much moving teams helps players production.

Unless he goes to a team that gives him more PP ice time, I don't think it would help his production much at all. His overall ice time would almost certainly drop significantly on any other teams, as well as their willingness to let him freewheel out there (especially the way he was in october).

I also think you're struggling to seperate individual generation with on ice generation. Hutson creates more individual plays, but he's also requiring a lot of possession and usage to create that. Sometimes a simple keep in, cycle game, or breakout pass is better offense than trying to beat a guy at the blueline. If you notice, as Hutson stopped trying to do everything everytime he got the puck, his on ice generation improved quite a bit, as did his defensive results as he got caught out of position less and less.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Your franchise is historically the epitome of one big head fake.

Took a while to come up with that one huh?

 

[Bring Bak Damphousse]

why?

you think he would get the same toi or even games on every contender. some teams have 6 more established nhl defender and enough offensive capability on the blue line to not constantly feature him.

i personally think he wouldn't play as much on most any team in the league.

It was sarcasm, typically habs players get more hate from other fanbases, as we hab fans have a tendency to hype them up to an extreme degree. You want to raise a players value on hf, move him to another team lol

 

[Gravity]

We will agree to disagree, you watch the game from a perspective of wanting the player to succeed and you ignore stats, there isn't a discussion to be had.

Also, dismissing someone's eyes because you think your eyes know better is a silly argument, especially when you can't back up anything you say with stats.

Equally as foolish as using one reductive, context limited stat to explain a players performance.

 

[OG Eberle]

Most hated prospect since PK Subban.

Keep doing your thang, Lane.

He's getting collateral damage cause there are more than a handful of posters in this thread actively arguing how he's on the same level as Celebrini and that assists/goals are worth the same, hence he's unreal. EDIT: Also, actively comparing him to Hughes and Makar...

Unfortunate, as its actually detracting from what is a great rookie season and actual discussion about him vs the homer/troll level takes from some of his vocal fans