Player Discussion Lane Hutson Part 2

[Mister Hab]

I'm going to get flamed for this, but what the heck. If, unfortunately, it becomes evident that Lane's size is holding him back as a defenseman in the NHL, could he become elite as a forward? I mean what is the gap between Lane and let's say a Zach Benson for example?

Dustin Byfuglien: switched from FORWARD to DMAN. And, there are other examples of players switching from dman to forward (or vice versa). Other examples? (anyone?): dmen switching to forwards?

Hutson: I'm excited (super-pumped!!) that our Habs drafted Hutson and can't wait to see him paired up with Reinbacher or Guhle or Mailloux or Struble....if.....if Hutson or Guhle or Struble can (sometimes?) play well on the RIGHT SIDE? Or, else the options are Reinbacher and Mailloux (two righties) for now (and Habs obviously can acquire a big RIGHTIE stay-at-home defensive-dman in the near future via TRADE or UFA, to be Hutson's partner, etc).

But...if Lane Hutson can be an elite-forward...I won't say no to that!! But I have no idea if Hutson and Habs management ever talked about it? (just for fun!: Hutson-Dach-Anderson ; or....Hutson-Suzuki-Caufield fun for the regular-season PP but too small for playoffs!!!).

Anyways, I do see Hutson as super-skilled dman (PP specialist for sure), but yeah...smart coaching would help a lot...who to pair him up with will be very important (a big/tall/tough/defensively-smart or SOLID two-way dependable dman).

Maybe...Hutson will be a mix of Quinn Hughes, Girard and a bit of Makar...maybe. Patience. Proper development/time/more patience is key.

I can't wait to see what Hutson can do at the 2024 WJC!!

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

A guy like Sam Girard is handling it while having a similar frame. I think it’s fair to say Hutson is ahead of him skillwise.

I agree that you have to be super skilled to succeed as a 5’9 D, but Hutson is just that

He did well until he got absolutely crushed.

 

[Mrb1p]

I'm going to get flamed for this, but what the heck. If, unfortunately, it becomes evident that Lane's size is holding him back as a defenseman in the NHL, could he become elite as a forward? I mean what is the gap between Lane and let's say a Zach Benson for example?

Skating speed, edge, hands, passing, shot even. Size.

Benson is Hutson on steroid.

 

[Mudz]

I'm going to get flamed for this, but what the heck. If, unfortunately, it becomes evident that Lane's size is holding him back as a defenseman in the NHL, could he become elite as a forward? I mean what is the gap between Lane and let's say a Zach Benson for example?

I have my doubts with how well Hutson will translate to the NHL because of his size. But Quinn Hughes can make it. Hutson is not as good a skater but he's more elusive.

Really liked what I saw at the world cup. Didn't look too small against men. I can't rememeber against who it was but he had a good open ice hit. His chemistry with Gauthier was evident.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Skating speed, edge, hands, passing, shot even. Size.

Benson is Hutson on steroid.

Size is the only clear advantage for Benson as he does not possess a great shot and his speed is one of his weaker traits. Giving Benson an edge in hands, edges and passing is just not true.

 

[Mrb1p]

Size is the only clear advantage for Benson as he does not possess a great shot and his speed is one of his weaker traits. Giving Benson an edge in hands, edges and passing is just not true.

Ok cool

 

[Habs4Life]

Skating speed, edge, hands, passing, shot even. Size.

Benson is Hutson on steroid.

got crack?

 

[Mrb1p]

got crack?

Nope, all I got is several hours of watching both players play.

 

[Naslundforever]

Eval camp or whatever that red v white rookie thing was post draft got me excited for his future HOF pairing with that kid in the post-Michkov thread. I just watched the scrimmage for fun again last night and I have to say play seemed really coherent and upbeat, which to me means our rookie defense is mature beyond it’s years already.

Reinbacher looks like Hutson’s dream partner for both of them to impact the team in 2024 already. Hutson needs to play his game, and get even better at it.

 

[Andrei79]

Nope, all I got is several hours of watching both players play.

...on crack.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

@2:29 Hutson with the same move Datsyuk used on Couture

 

[KevSkillz4]

I really like to repeat that sentence:

Habs have drafted Lane Hutson at 62nd overall.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Marner type but on D. That's what I see.

Weak shot but does not lack confidence and just sees the ice so well. Has the skating/edge work and IQ to really be something special. Going to have to make an adjustment when he turns pro or... the NHL will have to adjust to him. I think the later could be true... I don't think the physical element or worrying about making a mistake is something he worries about at all. He's very engaged and doesn't shy away from wanting the puck or trying to get it back when he looses it.

Lots of players have skill and skating. What he has is confidence, vision, and hockey IQ and those areas of the game is how he is really going to use his skating/skill to his full potential.

There is a certain "it" factor with him. You rarely seem him fade in the shadows regardless of whatever situation he is in. Explosive skating is the area where he really creates that time/space which is so important.

 

[StCaufield]

Not sure why people are worried about his size. The league is getting punier every year statistically

 

[montreal]

Hutson/Tuch will be spending American Thanksgiving at MSG vs Cornell,

Red Hot Hockey Returns for Ninth Edition at Madison Square Garden - Boston University Athletics

NEW YORK - The Kelley-Harkness Cup will be up for grabs this fall as Red Hot Hockey returns to Madison Square Garden for the ninth time on Saturday, Nov. 25, Boston

goterriers.com

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Dustin Byfuglien: switched from FORWARD to DMAN. And, there are other examples of players switching from dman to forward (or vice versa). Other examples? (anyone?): dmen switching to forwards?

Byfuglien was drafted as a defenceman and started playing in Chicago as a dman until they started putting him in front of the net on the pp and then fully moved him to the wing. His return to a full time dman was just a return to his natural position.

It has happened more than you might suspect as Wendel Clark was drafted 1st overall as a dman and immediately moved to the wing. Brent Burns was drafted as a forward and both Streit and Dandenault played D and F in Montreal.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Hutson/Tuch will be spending American Thanksgiving at MSG vs Cornell,

Red Hot Hockey Returns for Ninth Edition at Madison Square Garden - Boston University Athletics

NEW YORK - The Kelley-Harkness Cup will be up for grabs this fall as Red Hot Hockey returns to Madison Square Garden for the ninth time on Saturday, Nov. 25, Boston

goterriers.com

Thought I read somewhere that Willander was going to BU this season, perhaps as Hutson's partner?

 

[montreal]

Thought I read somewhere that Willander was going to BU this season, perhaps as Hutson's partner?

Yea last I heard he was still slated for BU in the fall. Right now it's Hutson and I guess Case McCarthy who was his D partner before his season ending injury. I believe Ty Gallagher is back so he will likely be in the top 4 as well if so.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

Dustin Byfuglien: switched from FORWARD to DMAN. And, there are other examples of players switching from dman to forward (or vice versa). Other examples? (anyone?): dmen switching to forwards?

Hutson: I'm excited (super-pumped!!) that our Habs drafted Hutson and can't wait to see him paired up with Reinbacher or Guhle or Mailloux or Struble....if.....if Hutson or Guhle or Struble can (sometimes?) play well on the RIGHT SIDE? Or, else the options are Reinbacher and Mailloux (two righties) for now (and Habs obviously can acquire a big RIGHTIE stay-at-home defensive-dman in the near future via TRADE or UFA, to be Hutson's partner, etc).

But...if Lane Hutson can be an elite-forward...I won't say no to that!! But I have no idea if Hutson and Habs management ever talked about it? (just for fun!: Hutson-Dach-Anderson ; or....Hutson-Suzuki-Caufield fun for the regular-season PP but too small for playoffs!!!).

Anyways, I do see Hutson as super-skilled dman (PP specialist for sure), but yeah...smart coaching would help a lot...who to pair him up with will be very important (a big/tall/tough/defensively-smart or SOLID two-way dependable dman).

Maybe...Hutson will be a mix of Quinn Hughes, Girard and a bit of Makar...maybe. Patience. Proper development/time/more patience is key.

I can't wait to see what Hutson can do at the 2024 WJC!!

When Markov was drafted out of Russia, he had been a forward most of his career

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

Beanpot Tournament and BU vs BC games next year will be great

Hutson + Celebrini at BU vs Smith + Leonard + Perreault + Fowler at BC

 

[Habaddict]

When Markov was drafted out of Russia, he had been a forward most of his career

I believe Markov moved to D-man full time as 16 year old.
Before playing pro in Russia. But you are correct, in that he
was a center before that.
Perhaps someone knowlegable from that time could help.

 

[Belial]

I believe Markov moved to D-man full time as 16 year old.
Before playing pro in Russia. But you are correct, in that he
was a center before that.
Perhaps someone knowlegable from that time could help.

That was probably a factor in him seeing the ice/game so well.

 

[Habaddict]

But Hutson ideally will need a creative head coach. As
with PK, who thrived early ,in part because the coach
could not afford to limit his game. Partly because of
the Markov injury. But PK when more
restrained, no longer had the oppertunity to do
his best stuff.

That was probably a factor in him seeing the ice/game so well.

Yes, I think this. And his comfort zone when sneaking
down to the back door.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

But Hutson ideally will need a creative head coach. As
with PK, who thrived early ,in part because the coach
could not afford to limit his game. Partly because of
the Markov injury. But PK when more
restrained, no longer had the oppertunity to do
his best stuff.

Yeah PKs game was not at all suited for MTs system. It was actually terrible for the system in place. The problem was with MTs preferred play style of "dump and chase", you needed to attack the opposing blue line with speed from your forwards. With subbans game, he would make the opposite happen, forcing the forwards to slowly enter the zone with probably drove MT crazy. It's fine because he drove us crazy with his boring style of play

 

[Habs Halifax]

Not sure why people are worried about his size. The league is getting punier every year statistically

His size factor should not be ignored. It can be sheltered but it's not something to ignore. This is about cup contender evaluation and playoff style hockey. You see smaller types fade so often in the playoffs. Not saying Hutson will fade but it is something he will have to overcome.