Player Discussion Lane Hutson Part 2

[Shred]

There is an article in la Presse today about this. An interesting read, which isn't usual anymore from this journalist (he followed the exact same curve as Elliotte Friedman imo). Brunet also compares Hutson's skating to Ribeiro's, which I found interesting since I mostly follow the Habs

La Hutsonmania vient de naître…: Rondelle libre | La Hutsonmania vient de naître…

He’s been phoning it in for years now. I assume his redundant and repetitive number-ridden hockeydb-sourced articles are mandated by his superiors. Speaking as someone who was on his blog daily back when snake70 started his prolific career in the comment section.

Thanks for sharing this in any case, would have missed it otherwise since I have been deliberately avoiding his articles. I’d rather read you guys on hfboards most of the time

 

[Heineman Mineman]

He’s been phoning it in for years now. I assume his redundant and repetitive number-ridden hockeydb-sourced articles are mandated by his superiors. Speaking as someone who was on his blog daily back when snake70 started his prolific career in the comment section.

Thanks for sharing this in any case, would have missed it otherwise since I have been deliberately avoiding his articles. I’d rather read you guys on hfboards most of the time

I was around at the same time, which was also the time where I thought Elliotte was a breath of fresh air. I won a pool because of Snake and MB's insistence on Tarasanko

 

[jrom]

There is an article in la Presse today about this. An interesting read, which isn't usual anymore from this journalist (he followed the exact same curve as Elliotte Friedman imo). Brunet also compares Hutson's skating to Ribeiro's, which I found interesting since I mostly follow the Habs

La Hutsonmania vient de naître…: Rondelle libre | La Hutsonmania vient de naître…

Favorite part for me (context = road game for BU in Vermont with lots of Habs fans):

His teammates teasing him that it was a road game for them and a home game for him

 

[Andrei79]

There is an article in la Presse today about this. An interesting read, which isn't usual anymore from this journalist (he followed the exact same curve as Elliotte Friedman imo). Brunet also compares Hutson's skating to Ribeiro's, which I found interesting since I mostly follow the Habs

La Hutsonmania vient de naître…: Rondelle libre | La Hutsonmania vient de naître…

He doesn't compare his skating to Ribeiros. It's more of a general comparison of their elusiveness compensating for lacking both skating and strength/size. Hutson has a higher work rate and even if he needs to work on his skating, it's still better than Ribeiros.

 

[Mrb1p]

When does Hutson reach peak value? When he signs or after 1-2 years in the NHL?

Do we move him? Is he gonna be good enough to not be sheltered?

I cannot wrap my head around the Hutson case. I rarely feel so in the dark with a prospect.

 

[An0n]

When does Hutson reach peak value? When he signs or after 1-2 years in the NHL?

Do we move him? Is he gonna be good enough to not be sheltered?

I cannot wrap my head around the Hutson case. I rarely feel so in the dark with a prospect.

I'm at the same place, I don't know how he's gonna end up but to me he's got a rare skillset and the investment cost was too low to try and recoup losses.

I would just let him develop and see what he becomes. If he booms we're happy, if he busts it's no real losses due to him only being a late 2nd rounder. I don't think teams would be willing to trade blue chippers for him.

 

[Mrb1p]

I'm at the same place, I don't know how he's gonna end up but to me he's got a rare skillset and the investment cost was too low to try and recoup losses.

I would just let him develop and see what he becomes. If he booms we're happy, if he busts it's no real losses due to him only being a late 2nd rounder. I don't think teams would be willing to trade blue chippers for him.

I agree, but at the same time, what if a team is actually willing to gamble heavily on him? What if a team with a rich forward crop (says Buffalo, Ottawa, Arizona, etc.) Would like the gamble?

Im not sure any team would be willing to, but I think its still worth having the discussion for management. Hes kind of a golden egg, you see its golden, but you dont know when or if it will hatch. I cant really remember a case similar to this one. Maybe Kaprizov?

 

[An0n]

I agree, but at the same time, what if a team is actually willing to gamble heavily on him? What if a team with a rich forward crop (says Buffalo, Ottawa, Arizona, etc.) Would like the gamble?

Im not sure any team would be willing to, but I think its still worth having the discussion for management. Hes kind of a golden egg, you see its golden, but you dont know when or if it will hatch. I cant really remember a case similar to this one. Maybe Kaprizov?

I'd be willing to trade him if for a very good young forward. If Buffalo, for example, offered Casey M (not spelling his last name) for Hutson, I'd probably accept the trade.

 

[Mrb1p]

I'd be willing to trade him if for a very good young forward. If Buffalo, for example, offered Casey M (not spelling his last name) for Hutson, I'd probably accept the trade.

Funny enough Mittelstatd means medium-sized town in german.

But yeah of course you do that.

 

[jaffy27]

Funny enough Mittelstatd means medium-sized town in german.

But yeah of course you do that.

since we on that topic….Markov in Russian means carrot lol

Kulak in Russian means “fist”

Who knew eh

 

[Mrb1p]

since we on that topic….Markov in Russian means carrot lol

Kulak in Russian means “fist”

Who knew eh

Lmao thats why the general had such good on ice vision.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

When does Hutson reach peak value? When he signs or after 1-2 years in the NHL?

Do we move him? Is he gonna be good enough to not be sheltered?

I cannot wrap my head around the Hutson case. I rarely feel so in the dark with a prospect.

Love this guy. Don’t trade him.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

 

[KevSkillz4]

He is insane. Come on some people need to be really hype with this gem. He is going to be such a amazing D in NHL level. If you listen Simon Snake, you need to understand that this scout mania, have Geekie #1 last year in one point in the season and #6 after season end. CONNOR FREAKING GEEKIE lol.

 

[CanadienShark]

You didn’t finish high school Nico? :/

You make my words I'm gonna get my grade 10.

 

[jfm133]

I have the same feeling about him, this player is a black box for me as a pro. I see the offensive dominance in the NCAA on a very good team at that level, but given his physical limitations, I don't see how he will be able to replicate that quickly in the NHL and also in the AHL, which is a though league to play in physically.

In the NHL, the only D with a similar frame is Jared Spurgeon, listed at 5'09, 166 lbs, and Spurgeon played junior at 20, that's why I want Hutson to play one more year at BU, just to work on getting stronger and being more ready physically. Spurgeon is not as gifted offensively as Hutson, but he is a better skater. Also, find me the last team to win a Stanley Cup with a D that is 5'10 or less. Samuel Girard was hurt early in the playoffs when Colorado won it.

All that to say that I dont see how his play at this stage of his career would translate well to the pros. A defensman need first to be able to defend well, the offense comes on top of it. We see it this year with Struble, he rose above the others because he can defend well at the pro level. He was a plug and play D last spring in Laval, and made the jump to Montréal at the first opportunity, never to be sent down again. During this time, Harris, Barron and Xhekaj, better offensively, are struggling to establish themselves in the NHL on a weak team. All that to say that I don't know what we will get in the pros with Hutson, especially if he turns pro this year. If he is to succeed, he will need time. He is not Quinn Hughes, and Adam Fox played three years in the NCAA. Hutson should do the same and the kid is open to it. It's on Hughes and Gorton to be wise with him. And the nice thing is that the Habs can afford to be patient with him.

When does Hutson reach peak value? When he signs or after 1-2 years in the NHL?

Do we move him? Is he gonna be good enough to not be sheltered?

I cannot wrap my head around the Hutson case. I rarely feel so in the dark with a prospect.

 

[malcb33]

I have the same feeling about him, this player is a black box for me as a pro. I see the offensive dominance in the NCAA on a very good team at that level, but given his physical limitations, I don't see how he will be able to replicate that quickly in the NHL and also in the AHL, which is a though league to play in physically.

In the NHL, the only D with a similar frame is Jared Spurgeon, listed at 5'09, 166 lbs, and Spurgeon played junior at 20, that's why I want Hutson to play one more year at BU, just to work on getting stronger and being more ready physically. Spurgeon is not as gifted offensively as Hutson, but he is a better skater. Also, find me the last team to win a Stanley Cup with a D that is 5'10 or less. Samuel Girard was hurt early in the playoffs when Colorado won it.

All that to say that I dont see how his play at this stage of his career would translate well to the pros. A defensman need first to be able to defend well, the offense comes on top of it. We see it this year with Struble, he rose above the others because he can defend well at the pro level. He was a plug and play D last spring in Laval, and made the jump to Montréal at the first opportunity, never to be sent down again. During this time, Harris, Barron and Xhekaj, better offensively, are struggling to establish themselves in the NHL on a weak team. All that to say that I don't know what we will get in the pros with Hutson, especially if he turns pro this year. If he is to succeed, he will need time. He is not Quinn Hughes, and Adam Fox played three years in the NCAA. Hutson should do the same and the kid is open to it. It's on Hughes and Gorton to be wise with him. And the nice thing is that the Habs can afford to be patient with him.

I can understand your position and I tend to agree with most points you've made here, however, I don't think it's quite as simple as not being able to find a historical comparison, but it certainly illustrates the risk with Hutson as a prospect (the boom or bust).

You are right when saying Hutson doesn't compare well to other smaller defensemen because of his skating deficiencies without the puck, however, I believe Hutson is part of a new wave of Dmen which has more focus on puck position and interchanging offensive cycling, which is where I think the game is heading. Almost like the old Red Army style. If you look at what Quinn Hughes is doing this year, he is driving the Vancouver offense with his puck possession, drawing players out of position and creating holes and space for his team mates to jump into. I think Hutson can have a similar impact at the pro level, but the team has to play a style which is conducive to his skillset, which means building a team with great skating, intelligence and either size and/ or agility (ideally both). Obviously all of this is his upside, and he has plenty to work on and overcome before he reaches that level of impact, and if he doesn't his impact will be severely limited.

Regarding playing a 3rd year in NCAA, I don't imagine the management want to give him the option of potentially walking (Canada might not be his first choice) and from reports he wants to turn pro. Fox was a different situation as he wanted to walk, so he stayed for his 3rd year because it forced his desired outcome.

With all that said, theres no doubt he's an extremely polarizing player with a extremely high ceiling, but also a very low floor.

 

[Goalfield13]

The thing that worries me about Hutson is how effective he will be in the playoffs when the other team is focusing on him down low and crushing him into the boards. I know Mailloux isn't a physical force out there, but I see him taking that kind of abuse much easier for obvious reasons. It's harder to get away with having a small frame as a D. It's hard for me to see Hutson in our top 4 in the future, and if he isn't playing top 4 5v5 and PP1, I think it's a waste.

 

[WeThreeKings]

The thing that worries me about Hutson is how effective he will be in the playoffs when the other team is focusing on him down low and crushing him into the boards. I know Mailloux isn't a physical force out there, but I see him taking that kind of abuse much easier for obvious reasons. It's harder to get away with having a small frame as a D. It's hard for me to see Hutson in our top 4 in the future, and if he isn't playing top 4 5v5 and PP1, I think it's a waste.

He's been dealing with that all his life, he just very rarely puts himself into positions where he can be hit.

If Adam Fox and Kris Letang can find a way to survive, so can Lane. He's not criminally small anymore he's just small.

 

[BLONG7]

He's been dealing with that all his life, he just very rarely puts himself into positions where he can be hit.

If Adam Fox and Kris Letang can find a way to survive, so can Lane. He's not criminally small anymore he's just small.

Hughes in Vancouver is not very big either, and is thriving in the NHL............

Good news on Orville coming over fairly soon also!!

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

The thing that worries me about Hutson is how effective he will be in the playoffs when the other team is focusing on him down low and crushing him into the boards. I know Mailloux isn't a physical force out there, but I see him taking that kind of abuse much easier for obvious reasons. It's harder to get away with having a small frame as a D. It's hard for me to see Hutson in our top 4 in the future, and if he isn't playing top 4 5v5 and PP1, I think it's a waste.

I’ve been saying this for a while. I feel we should trade Hutson ( in a package) for top 6 player while his value is high. We do that, then grab a stud RD in the coming draft and I feel we will have managed our assets well.

Hutson may become something special in the NHL( I have my reservations). There are a few Big RD with offensive upside available in the top 12. If we get our forward in a trade, I’m completely down for drafting another RD

 

[Goalfield13]

He's been dealing with that all his life, he just very rarely puts himself into positions where he can be hit.

If Adam Fox and Kris Letang can find a way to survive, so can Lane. He's not criminally small anymore he's just small.

Meh, Letang is often injured too. A couple of examples are not enough for me, and it is hard to compare the two when there is a 40 lbs difference. I know he has been doing this his entire life, but NHL playoffs are a different beast. He's going to be targeted. I still like him as a player, but this is a legitimate worry until he proves otherwise.

 

[Jaynki]

I’ve been saying this for a while. I feel we should trade Hutson ( in a package) for top 6 player while his value is high. We do that, then grab a stud RD in the coming draft and I feel we will have managed our assets well.

Hutson may become something special in the NHL( I have my reservations). There are a few Big RD with offensive upside available in the top 12. If we get our forward in a trade, I’m completely down for drafting another RD

Yeah sure.

Lets trade our record-breaking prospects with absolute monster skills.

Nothing can go wrong here.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

Yeah sure.

Lets trade our record-breaking prospects with absolute monster skills.

Nothing can go wrong here.

I get the offense. But watching him play I see a non physical D, not the greatest skater although good edge work, holds on to pucks way too long and plays pond hockey style. That stuff works with kids but he’ll get killed in the show. I don’t find he plays a pro style and it has me question whether his skills will translate. Hope that helps

 

[Goalfield13]

I get the offense. But watching him play I see a non physical D, not the greatest skater although good edge work, holds on to pucks way too long and plays pond hockey style. That stuff works with kids but he’ll get killed in the show. I don’t find he plays a pro style and it has me question whether his skills will translate. Hope that helps

If Mailloux continues to progress as he is, I do think we should trade Hutson. I don't think there is room on this team for both long term. I would wait to see how Mailloux does next year in the A before I would consider this, though.