Player Discussion Lane Hutson Part 2

[HuGort]

I don’t think there’s a really good comparison for him, besides a few current players.

He plays a modern game - concepts so different than even 10 years ago. Coaches 20 years ago would have killed him if he did what he does now - offensively and defensively.

Dangles like Housley. Which allows him to make that little circle with puck before turning up ice. Buys him a few seconds, allows more vision better decisions

 

[Rapala]

Suzuki was the true QB from the half wall. Matheson was just the release valve. The reset guy.

Also, a 2nd unit plays a key part with 35-40% of the work. For example, the Rangers had rookie Fox on PP2 and Deangelo on PP1. Both had the same production rate as MM last season. No drop off. Meanwhile, we had Xhekaj and barron with no production.

I don’t even care who’s on PP1 this season, BTW. It will work itself out.

You might recall Barron scored a 4 v 3 OT winner on the PP.
Funny enough Matheson was in the box and unavailable at the time.
No reps equals no production.

 

[Ozmodiar]

You might recall Barron scored a 4 v 3 OT winner on the PP.
Funny enough Matheson was in the box and unavailable at the time.
No reps equals no production.

1:11 on PP/G and that was his only point.
Arber 1:00/G - no points.

The cupboard was bare after unit 1.

 

[Rapala]

1:11 on PP/G and that was his only point.
Arber 1:00/G - no points.

The cupboard was bare after unit 1.

That was absolutely true.
I should have been more specific about PP1 reps.

 

[Rapala]

Watching Lane Hutson play last evening it's evident he's going to get burned quite often until he figures it all out.
Robertson's second goal showed how easily he was caught out on a simply board play albeit on his weak side.
He also had a couple of potentially very bad turnovers in his own end. This is something we will have to live with.
I'm hoping we keep the brakes on Matheson or at least require him to be more selective with his gambles.
I don't know if we'll have enough scoring to overcome two risk takers.

 

[Habs Icing]

There were two reasons why the hugely talented Hutson fell to the bottom of the second round in his draft year: lack of size and limited straightforward speed. All the playing time in Laval will have no ameliorating effect on the former and limited effect on the latter.

To be honest his size is slightly concerning but not a deal-breaker for me. It's his backward skating and straightforward speed that have me concerned.

This board has clamoured for a development team for years and we finally have one that seems to know what it is doing. Let them work on the kid and if the results are of limited effect, as you say, I'll take it but I would send him to the A to work on it. I know I'm going to get flamed for saying this but the kid is a liability in the defensive zone. The last game against the Make-Believes proved it to me. And it was just their reject squad.

 

[Habs Icing]

Lane Hutson in very short order will become the Habs best Dman...I am now convinced.

If Hutson becomes the Habs' best D-man, I guess I'll have to wait for another two decades for a shot at the cup. At his best, Hutson is maybe a second pairing D-man who is the PP quarterback.

 

[Hins77]

I think one thing he is going to adjust. He is keeping the puck sometimes for too much time. When he starts dangling the puck, we feel at the end he lack of energy and at that point, he wants to make a pass. He is going to be a really good dman and already nhl ready imo.

 

[Tyson]

My issue with Hutson is that his vision and creativity may be too much for the current skill set on offense. Hopefully they adjust soon. He has some of the most elite on ice intelligence we have witnessed in recent memory.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

To be honest his size is slightly concerning but not a deal-breaker for me. It's his backward skating and straightforward speed that have me concerned.

This board has clamoured for a development team for years and we finally have one that seems to know what it is doing. Let them work on the kid and if the results are of limited effect, as you say, I'll take it but I would send him to the A to work on it. I know I'm going to get flamed for saying this but the kid is a liability in the defensive zone. The last game against the Make-Believes proved it to me. And it was just their reject squad.

Your points are noted.

But if you watched Lane play NCAA, he was also a defensive liability in his defensive zone. There's a reason (and a valid one) why this offensively gifted defenceman fell to the bottom of the second round in his draft year. This kid will have to play sheltered minutes his entire career. But the minutes/situations that he will play (on the power play, 4 on 4, in overtime and in game situations where offence is needed) will more than make up for his defensive limitations.

As I have previously stated, hockey, like all professional sports, is entertainment. There is no more entertaining player currently on the Canadiens than Lane. You can feel it in the fans reaction when Lane has the puck. Their anticipation that something special is about to happen. When's the last time we had a player that caused a similar anticipation of excitement? Kovalev? Richer? With the now unfortunate injury to Laine, that anticipation factor has never been more pressing.

Hughes is a realist. He knows that his team is several years away from being a consistent contender. Until the arrival of the offensive depth at forward ( Demidov, Hage, etc.) that he has craftily assembled, the Canadiens will again have to rely on a strong top line, a mobile defence and competent goaltending to remain competitive. Lane adds a welcome dynamic flair to a re-building team that is not quite there. He offers excitement and hope for the future for the team's long suffering fans. There is no way that Lane is sent to Laval. The fans won't accept that. They'll embrace the excitement and hope that Lane offers regardless of this player's defensive warts.

Its all about entertainment.

 

[badfish]

I think one thing he is going to adjust. He is keeping the puck sometimes for too much time. When he starts dangling the puck, we feel at the end he lack of energy and at that point, he wants to make a pass. He is going to be a really good dman and already nhl ready imo.

I think it's something he worked on between hits first and second year NCAA. I suspect he will recalibrate as he gains NHL experience. Drive more offense by passing and give-and-go rather than extended dangles.

 

[junyab]

My issue with Hutson is that his vision and creativity may be too much for the current skill set on offense. Hopefully they adjust soon. He has some of the most elite on ice intelligence we have witnessed in recent memory.

Kind of funny that Mesar had a bit of the same problem in Kitchener. At times there were not enough guys that could keep up with him. And people in the Mesar thread bashed that idea.

 

[Tyson]

Kind of funny that Mesar had a bit of the same problem in Kitchener. At times there were not enough guys that could keep up with him. And people in the Mesar thread bashed that idea.

Very interesting indeed.

 

[Rapala]

If Hutson becomes the Habs' best D-man, I guess I'll have to wait for another two decades for a shot at the cup. At his best, Hutson is maybe a second pairing D-man who is the PP quarterback.

I've said all along I think he will end up being a specialist on a very good team.
I like that Hughes suggests we don't want to hide him but it may turn out they end up having to.
We'll just have to wait and see how much his Dside ends up hurting because it will hurt.

 

[Rapala]

My issue with Hutson is that his vision and creativity may be too much for the current skill set on offense. Hopefully they adjust soon. He has some of the most elite on ice intelligence we have witnessed in recent memory.

Not with our top talent but perhaps futher down the lineup.
No one said that about BU I don't think.
The top guys will all be ready for anything at all times when he's out there...
and loving it.

I loved that Suzuki looked for him when the game was on the line and the goaltender was out.
That Lane was able to know the puck was going to Dach all along was evident the way those dots were connected.
We need more of this but earlier in the game would be nice.

 

[Habs Icing]

Your points are noted.

But if you watched Lane play NCAA, he was also a defensive liability in his defensive zone. There's a reason (and a valid one) why this offensively gifted defenceman fell to the bottom of the second round in his draft year. This kid will have to play sheltered minutes his entire career. But the minutes/situations that he will play (on the power play, 4 on 4, in overtime and in game situations where offence is needed) will more than make up for his defensive limitations.

As I have previously stated, hockey, like all professional sports, is entertainment. There is no more entertaining player currently on the Canadiens than Lane. You can feel it in the fans reaction when Lane has the puck. Their anticipation that something special is about to happen. When's the last time we had a player that caused a similar anticipation of excitement? Kovalev? Richer? With the now unfortunate injury to Laine, that anticipation factor has never been more pressing.

Hughes is a realist. He knows that his team is several years away from being a consistent contender. Until the arrival of the offensive depth at forward ( Demidov, Hage, etc.) that he has craftily assembled, the Canadiens will again have to rely on a strong top line, a mobile defence and competent goaltending to remain competitive. Lane adds a welcome dynamic flair to a re-building team that is not quite there. He offers excitement and hope for the future for the team's long suffering fans. There is no way that Lane is sent to Laval. The fans won't accept that. They'll embrace the excitement and hope that Lane offers regardless of his player's defensive warts.

Its all about entertainment.

Like beauty, entertainment is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Last time I played a Chel game 15 years ago the graphics were the same

https://x.com/i/web/status/1840807482597523597

 

[Monsieur Miz]

This kid would've driven Michel Therrien crazy.

 

[CHwest]

This kid would've driven Michel Therrien crazy.

He would consider him a project, someone that could be taught to play the right way and grid deez guys.

 

[Skip Bayless]

This kid would've driven Michel Therrien crazy.

This is exactly what would've happened :

 

[Adriatic]

With Laine gone at least this kid will make the games bearable to watch.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Your points are noted.

But if you watched Lane play NCAA, he was also a defensive liability in his defensive zone.

I don't agree with this at all.

He has limitations for sure. He's never going to clear the crease the way Weber did and he can get muscled off of pucks but he's very good at defensive coverage and excellent at stealing pucks. His transition game is fantastic as well.

His physical game is a liability. That I'd agree with. But he more than makes up for it otherwise. I wouldn't say he's a liabilty in his own end.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Wouldn't mind seeing him going to the A for a season, but that might be a bad choice for him.

Then again, if he survives there should be good for the NHL. Laval might be stocked enough with tough players to help him out.

 

[salbutera]

McGuire: Struble took advantage of his opportunities

Hockey analyst Pierre McGuire on what Jayden Struble did to impress him through the preseason, why Lane Hutson deserves a shot on the first power play unit and where he sees Logan Mailloux can improve his game

www.tsn.ca

“not a knock on Matheson….hockey people want to see Lane Hutson on top PP…. the experiments over…”

Starting at 7:30 min

I’ll maintain my position, it’s an inevitability, Hutson will be PP QB by US Thanksgiving at the very latest..

 

[morhilane]

I’ll maintain my position, it’s an inevitability, Hutson will be PP QB by US Thanksgiving at the very latest..

Going by the "Rebuild" series, Slaf probably already begged MSL for the swap...