No need for MM on the first waive once Hutson takes control and a good way to lower is time on ice. Hutson will revolutionize the PP as a positionless moving unit more than the static vomit we've been used to.
He and Hutson could spend the entire two minutes on the PP.
Hutson's backward skating is not at NHL level. It may be the reason he gets beaten on the outside and it may be why he turns quite often and defends skating forward.
Agreed. I think Hutson has superstar potential. But he’s not a fast skater and Matheson would negate that weakness.
Correct. Hughes has explicitly said this as well.
If Hutson can add speed to his skating like Hughes or Matheson type of D, he will become very dangerous as he will bring the puck in ozone on the rush and sometimes have a chance to pass defenders. As for now, he will rely on his edges, since his top speed is probably 400th in the NHL. It's concerning that he has to give so much effort to take fast. If he becomes a smooth skater like Karlsson, he will be a threat on every shift, but i'll give him 2-3 years to see if they can correct that. Some guys just never add speed because of their physical limitations
You don't add speed unless the skating mechanic is truly terrible. You can improve technique and strength to his legs but overall it's not an easy fix. I think the most important is learning on how to use his skating to his advantage and work on his gap control. I still believe he is too smart to not improve his positioning when facing faster player with a player like him the most important his limiting the impact of his flaws and let him uses his strength to his advantage, that will take time, reps and a lot video coaching. He is ready for the NHL, he needs to compete against the best to improve that part of his game.
There are definitely mechanical fixes he can do. I've said it before but if I'm Montreal I'm giving Barb a blank cheque's to work with him.
He’ll be on PP1 at some point. Will he start there? Maybe not as Matheson is in that seat. But that’s all the more reason to play them both there.
Patently false. You're acting as if armia = Anderson. Cycling/smart,safe plays is a huge part of Armias game. Where are you getting this nonsense?
He's called One Man Armia for a reason, he doesn't pass lol.
Not to derail the Hutson thread but puck possession is great I guess if the game is to keep it out of the oppositions net and off your teammates sticks like during a PK or protecting a lead. Anderson would fall into the well below average category at attempting or executing the predictable play
I'm not arguing that armia has elite vision or IQ but you're rating him far too low
He cleared waivers in 2023. I don't think he's getting rated too low. He has the physical ability and shot to be a 20 goal scorer, it's the desire that is lacking.
