Player Discussion Lane Hutson Part 2

[Lafleurs Guy]

Playoff contention would have been the only thing that would have kept him in the line up.
I think it's safe to say contact was not comfortable for him at all.
Looking at his game when he came back he only started being really aggressive and initiating contact in the final quarter.
The last 10 games in particular he looked like the old Caufield.

Again, the numbers across the board suggest otherwise. He was pretty consistent all year. The only real difference was a couple of streaks where the puck actually started going in. Shot wise, statistics wise though… he was fairly consistent all year long. He didn’t suddenly just turn things on.

The weirdest thing about his season last year was that he went on a great streak, then didn’t score for like 20 games and then went on another good streak to end the year. He’s always been really consistent so hopefully that last streak is indicative of a good season this year.

 

[Team_Spirit]

The hype train has left the station

Bring out the corn dogs

https://x.com/i/web/status/1836027329434292304

 

[LePenseur]

I may go against the crowd, but to me the question about how he will wow everyone and be our PP QB is a lot of projection.

The QB role belong to Matheson, the offensive starts belong to Matheson, so how can Hutson be added value on a second PP wave and be at least replacement level at defense? Is the real question.

If his defense is subpar it makes no sense to have an offense specialist that is your secondary offense weapon.

If Matheson goes down with injury then Hutson takeover and possibly never look back.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I may go against the crowd, but to me the question about how he will wow everyone and be our PP QB is a lot of projection.

The QB role belong to Matheson, the offensive starts belong to Matheson, so how can Hutson be added value on a second PP wave and be at least replacement level at defense? Is the real question.

If his defense is subpar it makes no sense to have an offense specialist that is your secondary offense weapon.

If Matheson goes down with injury then Hutson takeover and possibly never look back.

They may start Hutson on PP1 and use that to alleviate some of the minutes from Matheson so he can be used in other areas he is more effective.

 

[HomaridII]

The hype train has left the station

Bring out the corn dogs

https://x.com/i/web/status/1836027329434292304

This is mild hype. The Athletic did a review of all the prospect tournaments, highlighting one player per team. For the habs of course they said Lane Hutson. Here is a direct quote from there:

"what Hutson showed in these two games was his unique talent. No one currently in the NHL plays the game quite like he does."

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I may go against the crowd, but to me the question about how he will wow everyone and be our PP QB is a lot of projection.

The QB role belong to Matheson, the offensive starts belong to Matheson, so how can Hutson be added value on a second PP wave and be at least replacement level at defense? Is the real question.

If his defense is subpar it makes no sense to have an offense specialist that is your secondary offense weapon.

If Matheson goes down with injury then Hutson takeover and possibly never look back.

Yeah, I don’t see them moving Matheson - at least not right away. I think they’ll keep him there and then when he’s traded (I don’t think he’s in our long term plans) Hutson comes on.

That’s going to be an interesting storyline this year.

 

[the valiant effort]

It would be extremely disappointing if the org/MSL deemed Hutson good enough for opening night but not good enough to man PP1. Matheson has plenty of good qualities, controlling the puck at the line is simply not one of them

 

[salbutera]

I may go against the crowd, but to me the question about how he will wow everyone and be our PP QB is a lot of projection.

The QB role belong to Matheson, the offensive starts belong to Matheson, so how can Hutson be added value on a second PP wave and be at least replacement level at defense? Is the real question.

If his defense is subpar it makes no sense to have an offense specialist that is your secondary offense weapon.

If Matheson goes down with injury then Hutson takeover and possibly never look back.

MSL, Hughes and Grillo are strong believers in good defense begins in the offensive zone by executing basic positionless hockey: I.e C, LW, RW only matters on faceoffs once play is in motion it’s all about F1, F2, F3 and ensuring the players IQ recognizes & executes the double triangle in all zones

That hockey philosophy goes against traditional station to station game NHL teams have traditionally employed - no neural / offensive / defensive zones. MSL liked to say w his Pee Wee teams, good defense starts in the offensive zone with strong pressure & support - that proactive philosophy is the opposite of Jacques Lemaire reactive philosophy which has been prevalent in NHL …

Hutson enables that proactive approach, will be fascinating to watch the results…

So it’s not about “WOW factor”, it’s about proactive vs reactive hockey

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

It would be extremely disappointing if the org/MSL deemed Hutson good enough for opening night but not good enough to man PP1. Matheson has plenty of good qualities, controlling the puck at the line is simply not one of them

Because of what he brings, he'll be a main cog for everything related to offense. 1st PP and main pivot on the exploitation line.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

It would be extremely disappointing if the org/MSL deemed Hutson good enough for opening night but not good enough to man PP1. Matheson has plenty of good qualities, controlling the puck at the line is simply not one of them

No chance Hutson starts on pp1 over Matheson.
Hutson could be there at the 15-game mark, but there is no way Marty put him there for game 1 over Matheson who put up a lot of pp points last season.

I don't expect Demidov to start on pp1 either when he arrives next season.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

It would be extremely disappointing if the org/MSL deemed Hutson good enough for opening night but not good enough to man PP1. Matheson has plenty of good qualities, controlling the puck at the line is simply not one of them

It’s a marathon not a sprint though. If they don’t use him there it’s no biggie for now.

 

[Saundies]

No chance Hutson starts on pp1 over Matheson.
Hutson could be there at the 15-game mark, but there is no way Marty put him there for game 1 over Matheson who put up a lot of pp points last season.

I don't expect Demidov to start on pp1 either when he arrives next season.

Yeah it's extremely rare that a rookie comes in and starts running an NHL PP from the get go, especially with Matheson still on the roster. Hutson is dynamic and his best place is on the PP but if he does make the team out of the camp, it's likely to be on PP2.

Obviously it's all subject to change and if we need a spark/PP1 isn't working with Matheson back there, it's nice to have another option.

 

[morhilane]

The players might end up requesting Hutson on PP1 if Matheson still act like passing left is impossible. But otherwise, it's going to be Matheson that runs it.

Or they might do like at the prospect tournament and run PP waves with two dmen.

 

[BaseballCoach]

The players might end up requesting Hutson on PP1 if Matheson still act like passing left is impossible. But otherwise, it's going to be Matheson that runs it.

Or they might do like at the prospect tournament and run PP waves with two dmen.

Matheson will be on PP1 to start the season. He has earned it.

If Hutson can defend at the NHL level and does not need heavy sheltering as Hughes put it, then he might get PP2 opportunities to begin with.

 

[BJCOLLINS]

something i noticed this weekend Hutson is always looking for that long seam pass….he just didn’t have to forwards to hit. Add to that he’s very elusive and extremely heady. Great D players are always moving the puck out of danger to create danger at the other end. We have a top 6 that will look for that seam pass & create havoc.
Gonna B fun! Cheers

 

[BaseballCoach]

They may start Hutson on PP1 and use that to alleviate some of the minutes from Matheson so he can be used in other areas he is more effective.

It would be better to relieve Matheson of some of his 3 PK minutes per game. Let him be 4th most used on the PK instead of 1st or 2nd as he was last year.

 

[WeThreeKings]

It would be better to relieve Matheson of some of his 3 PK minutes per game. Let him be 4th most used on the PK instead of 1st or 2nd as he was last year.

I would do both - I think you want him 5 on 5 as much as possible.

I know Matheson will start PP1 but Hutson probably won't take long to juice PP2 and get that promotion. It's the better use of everyone's natural abilities and strengths.

 

[BaseballCoach]

I would do both - I think you want him 5 on 5 as much as possible.

I know Matheson will start PP1 but Hutson probably won't take long to juice PP2 and get that promotion. It's the better use of everyone's natural abilities and strengths.

We will see if Hutson's shimmies and shakes but without foot speed will be more deadly on the PP than Matheson's dual threat to shoot or pass as well as fly up the ice and back when needed.

 

[Deebs]

We will see if Hutson's shimmies and shakes but without foot speed will be more deadly on the PP than Matheson's dual threat to shoot or pass as well as fly up the ice and back when needed.

I think where Hutson will provide the most over Matty, eventually, is his brain and timing to make certain plays. He'll see passing lanes before they open, he'll see movement before it happens, etc....

 

[Gaud]

Saw hutson play twice this weekend. He was the best forward we had! (i know he is a D)

He is all offense and takes a lot of risks. It's been a while since ive seen someone skate the blue line the way he does. I think he starts in Laval.

Mailloux is NHL ready, in my opinion. I think the habs had a roster spot for him the second that they traded Kovacevic

 

[ChesterNimitz]

We will see if Hutson's shimmies and shakes but without foot speed will be more deadly on the PP than Matheson's dual threat to shoot or pass as well as fly up the ice and back when needed.

It's hard to understand how underrated Matheson is on this Forum. Hutson is a wunderkind who should, in time, succeed Matheson as Montreal's top defenceman on the power play. But not yet. Hutson's immediate presence on the team's second power play unit is a true luxury that will add a dynamic dimension to the Canadiens' offence. Of equal importance, it will make watching Montreal games that much more enjoyable.

It's a good time to be a fan.

 

[Ozmodiar]

It's hard to understand how underrated Matheson is on this Forum. Hutson is a wunderkind who should, in time, succeed Matheson as Montreal's top defenceman on the power play. But not yet. Hutson's immediate presence on the team's second power play unit is a true luxury that will add a dynamic dimension to the Canadiens' offence. Of equal importance, it will make watching Montreal games that much more enjoyable.

It's a good time to be a fan.

PP2 will allow Hutson to “do his thing” instead of just getting Suzuki - the true PP QB - the puck.

Matheson took some heat when he did this, but they were just running things through Suzuki. Matheson knew Slaf was there … but comments like “Slaf is open!” were common. lol

 

[Naslundforever]

It's hard to understand how underrated Matheson is on this Forum. Hutson is a wunderkind who should, in time, succeed Matheson as Montreal's top defenceman on the power play. But not yet. Hutson's immediate presence on the team's second power play unit is a true luxury that will add a dynamic dimension to the Canadiens' offence. Of equal importance, it will make watching Montreal games that much more enjoyable.

It's a good time to be a fan.

.. Except that pits Hutson against opposing top line soon as the pp is over. The other way around has Guhle and Matheson in that position.

As you say, good time to be a fan, first time in ages there are actual options

 

[ChesterNimitz]

.. Except that pits Hutson against opposing top line soon as the pp is over. The other way around has Guhle and Matheson in that position.

As you say, good time to be a fan, first time in ages there are actual options

Been watching this team for seven decades and haven't been this excited since they brought in colour TV.

You can see the building blocks that Hughes is assembling: highly skilled talent surrounded by large, mobile, physically imposing players. I can't wait to see what Hughes does with those 7 high draft choices over the next two years and the cap flexibility he will undoubtedly create once he flushes out the host of overpaid, underperforming veterans from the team's roster.

Good managers/leaders are difficult to find in all walks of life. When you find one its like a breath of fresh air. The next few years should be both interesting and entertaining. The other teams should be as concerned as some of us are optimistic.

 

[SwiftyHab]

Lane is officially 5'10