Player Discussion Lane Hutson Part 2

[KevSkillz4]

It's like looking into the future. Really excited for you guys to see this kid take off. He has the benefit of seeing players 5 years older having blazed a trail. The game is starving for the elusive ankle-breakers on the back end that can shake checks by moving to E/W off the line.

Do you think Lane Hutson can reach to level of Quinn Hughes?

 

[Quinning]

Do you think Lane Hutson can reach to level of Quinn Hughes?

Honestly, I didn't think Quinn Hughes in his 2nd/3rd season would reach the Hughes we have today. He was a 65 point PP specialist who struggled in his own end. Heck of a player, but had some holes.

The 2024 Hughes is likely winning the Norris, in a year where Cale Makar and Roman Josi are absolutely carving up the league. He's +40 with 91 points. The single biggest reason this team isn't finishing 10th overall.

I have no idea what the ceiling for Hutson might be. I do think his floor is the 65 point Hughes. Hard to say where his ceiling might be.

 

[windycity]

Hutson impressed me last night, I had fairly low expectations but he definitely surpassed them. Shifty and faster than I expected and not timid at all, especially considering it was his first pro game, NHL no less. He just oozes IQ and skill, I'm confident he'll figure the rest out. I think he's too motivated and smart not to at least compensate for them. He'll be an NHL regular imo and a key difference maker at times. I certainly wouldn't bet against him.

 

[HabbyGuy]

I'd try him on PP1 with Matheson as a roamer.
Newhook can work PP2.

Replace playoffs with powerplay. When's the last time we've actually received a call?

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I went from watching his highlights religiously then not for the last 3-4 months or so?

Just saw the highlight of his assist and I think he may have improved his skating even more since then.

I could be wrong but he looks smoother.
I shared SOME of the skating concerns people had but yes they were overblown by many.

I seen plenty of times where he looked plenty fast but he had to work so hard to get to that speed. Great sideway mobility but hardly smooth. Not unlike PK.

But last night he seemed to be doing more with less skating wise but I’m not the best of judges on the subject.

What people have to know is this kid’s a killer and he’s going to do whatever it takes to become one of the best. I’ve been almost 100% convinced of this for about a year now. You just see it.

Some fans over scout flaws sometimes and put every player in the same characterless vacuum. He’s made nothing but big strides since drafted and there’s no reason to think that will stop.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

 

[Tyson]

I went from watching his highlights religiously then not for the last 3-4 months or so?

Just saw the highlight of his assist and I think he may have improved his skating even more since then.

I could be wrong but he looks smoother.
I shared SOME of the skating concerns people had but yes they were overblown by many.

I seen plenty of times where he looked plenty fast but he had to work so hard to get to that speed. Great sideway mobility but hardly smooth. Not unlike PK.

But last night he seemed to be doing more with less skating wise but I’m not the best of judges on the subject.

What people have to know is this kid’s a killer and he’s going to do whatever it takes to become one of the best. I’ve been almost 100% convinced of this for about a year now. You just see it.

Some fans over scout flaws sometimes and put every player in the same characterless vacuum. He’s made nothing but big strides since drafted and there’s no reason to think that will stop.

You mean like idiots who say he can't skate backwards?

 

[CHwest]

Hutson impressed me last night, I had fairly low expectations but he definitely surpassed them. Shifty and faster than I expected and not timid at all, especially considering it was his first pro game, NHL no less. He just oozes IQ and skill, I'm confident he'll figure the rest out. I think he's too motivated and smart not to at least compensate for them. He'll be an NHL regular imo and a key difference maker at times. I certainly wouldn't bet against him.

He surprised me as well, I thought he would be overwhelmed by the speed of the big league.

 

[Habnot]

Two years ago, Quinn Hughes was nowhere near where he is today. He was a defensive liability and was getting manhandled. I do not recognize the player that he is today.

All that to say Hutson has the tools to progress to that level but let's be patient. He might need another 3-4 years of physically maturing.

 

[HomaridII]

For those that say he was "protected" last night .

 

[yianik]

I went from watching his highlights religiously then not for the last 3-4 months or so?

Just saw the highlight of his assist and I think he may have improved his skating even more since then.

I could be wrong but he looks smoother.
I shared SOME of the skating concerns people had but yes they were overblown by many.

I seen plenty of times where he looked plenty fast but he had to work so hard to get to that speed. Great sideway mobility but hardly smooth. Not unlike PK.

But last night he seemed to be doing more with less skating wise but I’m not the best of judges on the subject.

What people have to know is this kid’s a killer and he’s going to do whatever it takes to become one of the best. I’ve been almost 100% convinced of this for about a year now. You just see it.

Some fans over scout flaws sometimes and put every player in the same characterless vacuum. He’s made nothing but big strides since drafted and there’s no reason to think that will stop.

PK is a good comp because PK was considered fast, but he really wasn't. PK excelled in his lateral mobility , his quickness, not straightaway speed, though it looked that way.

 

[Habssince89]

PK is a good comp because PK was considered fast, but he really wasn't. PK excelled in his lateral mobility , his quickness, not straightaway speed, though it looked that way.

I agree except the thing PK had that Lane doesn't is a big body to protect the puck to compensate for the lack of straight speed. Lane is probably going to be shiftier though, as PK got too big and lost agility

 

[Garnet76]

I was at the game last night and sat behind the Montreal net. Here are my opinions on Hutson. I was at ice level during warm ups and I have to say he's not a small as I thought he would be. Looks to be room to fill out a bit more. His edge work is incredible with good acceleration in his first few steps.
I was also very surprised to see that he could skate backwards!!!
During the game you can see how well he sees the ice and fines open space. You can also see how its going to take time for him and his teammates to adjust to one another.
Hutson got a bit lost with the man to man coverage on the first goal against. He wasn't sure if he needed to stay with his man who was just inside the blueline. He hesitated and ended up on the wrong side of the play. Not a big deal he will adjust.
His outlet passes and the cross ice pass to I believe was gally were a thing of beauty.
He had the game on his stick in overtime. He was patience in the slot and found more open ice to get a shot off. Great play, too bad he didn't finish. He showed his skating ability in the same play trying to backcheck and stop the 2 on 1.
There was a couple on ice things I think he can improve on in the off season and likely comes with more reps. His top end speed and the strength of his passes and shot. With a little more Zipp on the puck I think he would have created a few more plays. I'm sure this will come with more experience. Overall I was really impressed with his first game.

 

[yianik]

I agree except the thing PK had that Lane doesn't is a big body to protect the puck to compensate for the lack of straight speed. Lane is probably going to be shiftier though, as PK got too big and lost agility

Definitely advantage for PK as he could force through a gap with his 200 pound size.

With all the comments of his being slow I was pleasantly surprised last night that he was certainly faster than what I would call slow. And he can work the blueline. Real confident and capable stick handler.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

For those that say he was "protected" last night .

Yea, he was on the ice a lot with the slaf line vs the larkin line

 

[jfm133]

Sorry, Sean Farrell on skills alone would have played with the Habs this year, but you need more the skills or hockey IQ. On the other hand, Josh Anderson has size, speed, a powerfull shot, but no skills, no vision and very low hockey IQ. That's why he is a forecheck guy. He is OK without the puck, and a disaster with it. Hutson is likely to be the opposite, good with the puck, a liability without it.

Any time we define a player as having ELITE skills, we have to stop the size argument. Elite doesn’t come around often, and in this market we are starved for elite talent. The kid has pros to train him now. Take him as he is. He’s going to get people out of their seats.

 

[Egresch]

Why do you say 0.1% chance?

Nemec is already top4 NHL D, I watch him 5 years and NJD did great job in his development. He was always amazing in transition, PP, but his defensive play and aggressiveness made huge step in AHL. They prefer Hughes for PP, but Nemec could easily replace him. He can already eat huge minutes.
For Lane, he is amazing offensively, but I think he will be limited in D. It is his bodytype when you can easily see those skinny legs and small torso. The strenght of hockey players comes from legs, look at MSL. I am afraid Lane's genetics just do not create leg muscle mass and this lack of strength will limit him.
It is just my opinion, I really like Lane, but I am realistic.

 

[Bombshell11]

Way too soon to be hyped or down, the talent is there, we need to see what he can do next year

 

[Favster]

His speed is already NHL level but he still does have technical flaws which can be worked on. I think once he calms his upper body and stops ''bouncing around'' (probably due to lack of lower body strength) on the ice he will be a very good skater at the NHL level. Future is bright for him.

 

[Wats]

Having his defensive game so closely watched is such a Subban flashback. Really can't believe it's been almost 15 years since Subban made NHL debut.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

wow. thanks for this. Man, people losing their minds that we don't have a top 3 pick or whatever last night, while this stud is right in front of you? It's like the more promising we get the more some of the fan base think we're doomed. It's so bizarre.

You mean like idiots who say he can't skate backwards?

Haha. I was definitely in that camp. Somewhat at least. It wasn't pretty at times. I think he's worked on his skating a lot. I saw him go from front to back like ONCE and I watched him a lot. It was so clunky. Then he just wouldn't do it when he should be doing it. I do think at one point at least, it was an issue.

I'm sure he'll have his rough patches. And the 'critics' will be annoying and what not. But man he's going to create an obscene amount of offence. Definitely reminded me of PK but possibly better. Definitely better at the same age but he even looks better than PK did in that 2 game 'rookie season' and PK wasn't playing in a junior eligibility year like Lane is.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

His speed is already NHL level but he still does have technical flaws which can be worked on. I think once he calms his upper body and stops ''bouncing around'' (probably due to lack of lower body strength) on the ice he will be a very good skater at the NHL level. Future is bright for him.

I'm not the greatest judge but I think you're dead on. He's improved a lot though. So heartening to see.

That pass to Evans I think it was when the defender thought he was going to pass it to the LD and that seam opened up. Man it was so refreshing to see that kind of vision, awareness and IQ.

A couple months ago, Roy was looking like our biggest draft steal in however long. Now with this wizard in the late 2nd? We have some very solid talent

 

[26Mats]

It's going to be nice to have another offensive dman that can play 20+ minutes a night, so that Matheson isn't the only one.

They could be a one two punch, coming on each after the other, and even be played together when we need some offense.

 

[Favster]

I'm not the greatest judge but I think you're dead on. He's improved a lot though. So heartening to see.

That pass to Evans I think it was when the defender thought he was going to pass it to the LD and that seam opened up. Man it was so refreshing to see that kind of vision, awareness and IQ.

A couple months ago, Roy was looking like our biggest draft steal in however long. Now with this wizard in the late 2nd? We have some very solid talent

He definitely has improved on those weaknesses drastically and I fully expect that trend to continue. Super pumped.

 

[cphabs]

Tom Baker… Best Dr. Who ever!