Prospect Info: Lane Hutson Part 2

[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...

 

[ReimanSum1908]

This kid would've driven Michel Therrien crazy.

"I already said Ilike Lane Hutson. You don't have to sell me on him."

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

Given the entire strategy surrounding Matheson on the power play and the creativity and mobility, (the latter of which Matheson should be able to leverage but rarely does outside of the rush) that Hutson brings, I hope that you're right.

 

[Habssince89]

They'll make Lane earn it. They've given him a hurdle he can easily get over, but it's up to him to prove us right.

I concur he'll be there on PP1 soon enough

 

[DavePeak]

Ready for the new season… of Diablo 4! About as close to the real thing as NHL 25

 

[salbutera]

They'll make Lane earn it. They've given him a hurdle he can easily get over, but it's up to him to prove us right.

I concur he'll be there on PP1 soon enough

A couple of possession dominant PPs and he gets anointed QB

The issue is not Matheson doing a poor job, that’s just not who he is, yes he’s a flawless skater but Hutson thinks the offensive possession game as a PP general that’s going to set a new standard for offense first Dman

Hutson can only succeed as a Dman by going all out offense…not by defending

 

[Habs Halifax]

This kid would've driven Michel Therrien crazy.

The other way around... Therrien would have driven Hutson crazy

 

[morhilane]

The issue is not Matheson doing a poor job, that’s just not who he is, yes he’s a flawless skater

Matheson do not use his skating on the PP outside defensive rush. He rarely does zone entries and doesn't "dance" at the blue line.

 

[Nova_Scotia_Vees]

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

You mean you don't get excited when Cole nick or slafs on the ice?

 

[salbutera]

Matheson do not use his skating on the PP outside defensive rush. He rarely does zone entries and doesn't "dance" at the blue line.

Because that’s not who he is …. he’s a PMD not an offensive catalyst which is what Hutson is

Matheson is very similar to what Petry was as a Hab… they’re not in the mold of Hughes, Fox etc..

 

[morhilane]

Because that’s not who he is …. he’s a PMD not an offensive catalyst which is what Hutson is

Matheson is very similar to what Petry was as a Hab… they’re not in the mold of Hughes, Fox etc..

You can't be a PP QB if you can't move the box and you don't move the box if you don't move at the blue line.

 

[salbutera]

You can't be a PP QB if you can't move the box and you don't move the box if you don't move at the blue line.

Whoever said Matheson is a PP QB? He never was & never will be - how many teams actually have PP QBs?

Habs haven’t had one since Markov.

Matheson is the classic PMD who’s placed on the PP because of his puck transportation capabilities out of Dzone & through neutral zone - which is what teams default to when they lack the new age PP QB