LD Lane Hutson - Montreal Canadiens, NHL (2022, 62nd, MTL) - Part 2

[waitin425]

2nd overall in a redraft....behind Slaf.

 

[Jared Dunn]

I'm not trying to hate on Hutson in particular, but man I don't get the people that leap to yell "I TOLD YOU SO" on guys like this.

Like, clearly everyone agrees that he has unique talent and that he does special things against lower levels of competition. And some people question if that will translate to sustained success against NHLers due to some of his limitations.

Say "I told you so" when he's actually made it in the NHL. Not when he does good in the NCAA or a couple of scrimmages.

(Arthur Kaliyev is an example of this. Different limitations, people tried to dunk on NHL scouts for passing on the 50 goal scorer, and well, here we are)

I just think the "I told you so" is the fact that people have openly doubted that even his offence will translate to the NHL. Yes it's preseason and yes he might never be a guy you can really trust defensively, but just feels fairly clear the skill and instincts are NHL level

 

[Oak]

Way too early to say any of this tbh

He already has one foot in the door to the NHl. I don't think its too early. Everything I said will need to happen for him to succeed. I'd wager money he will get games in the NHL this year.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

He already has one foot in the door to the NHl. I don't think its too early. Everything I said will need to happen for him to succeed. I'd wager money he will get games in the NHL this year.

He’s an absolute lock to play the year in the NHL, I’m saying it’s too early to say he’s nowhere near that level especially at the same age

 

[Sting]

Way too early to say any of this tbh

I think the harsh reality for pro sports is that you can put in the work and you can ooze natural talent but you don't determine your size. I, and many others on here, would be floored if he became a good defensive player. Can anyone point out someone his size that is or was a good defender?

You can say Makar or Hughes but those guys have all-world skating. From my viewings, Hutson gets beat outside and seems to have issues keeping up with especially fast/strong forwards.

The point I think people are trying to make is - if he does make it as an NHL regular, it's pretty unlikely that he is viewed as a top pairing guy or someone who is relied on to be the main piece of a d-corps. It's more likely that he is a PP specialist and isn't on the ice much for the PK / last minute of play.

 

[BKarchitect]

I think the harsh reality for pro sports is that you can put in the work and you can ooze natural talent but you don't determine your size. I, and many others on here, would be floored if he became a good defensive player. Can anyone point out someone his size that is or was a good defender?

You can say Makar or Hughes but those guys have all-world skating. From my viewings, Hutson gets beat outside and seems to have issues keeping up with especially fast/strong forwards.

The point I think people are trying to make is - if he does make it as an NHL regular, it's pretty unlikely that he is viewed as a top pairing guy or someone who is relied on to be the main piece of a d-corps. It's more likely that he is a PP specialist and isn't on the ice much for the PK / last minute of play.

I’ve been near the forefront of “let’s pump the gas a bit” over the past couple of years and no, there’s no chance Hutson will ever be the skater that Hughes or Makar are (sorry - you can’t train yourself to be at their level at this point…what those guys have is freakish genetic ability AND the top level training and dedication to craft). I think you are spot on with how Hutson may struggle handling some of the big, fast NHL forwards over an 82 game NHL slate.

That said, I do think it is too early to say he’s a guy you can’t play in clutch situations or can only be a PP specialist. His skating has improved, visibly. And he’s so agile and intelligent. Not a lockdown guy for sure. Probably not a total Norris level freak like Quinn or Cale. But let’s see what he can do over a full slate and then assess the situation. Maybe in a few years, he may just become a guy you do want out there to close out a game - dictating play with the puck and making smart decisions.

 

[Fatass]

2nd overall in a redraft....behind Slaf.

He’s the Habs’ cover for their Reinbacher miss. It’s very similar to the Hawks, during their rebuild, getting Keith later in the draft to cover for their miss with Cam Barker high in the draft. Successful rebuilds have later round picks that make up for the high picks that miss. Hutson is that cover.

 

[Oak]

He’s an absolute lock to play the year in the NHL, I’m saying it’s too early to say he’s nowhere near that level especially at the same age

I don't think its too early to say he will never be a Quinn Hughes. Hughes' greatest gift is his skating ability, and that is currently Hutsons weakest link. That doesn't mean Hutson cant find a niche in the NHL, but as to my first post he will need to be very sheltered.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

I don't think its too early to say he will never be a Quinn Hughes. Hughes' greatest gift is his skating ability, and that is currently Hutsons weakest link. That doesn't mean Hutson cant find a niche in the NHL, but as to my first post he will need to be very sheltered.

I would qualify that by saying his speed is a weakness, his skating as a whole is not

 

[Baksfamous112]

We will see very soon how he does VS full NHL rosters… I hope he excels and lives up to this hype but I’ve seen many high scoring young players not hit what they were hoped to do…especially when they are smaller dmen

You mean like when he faced a full Detroit roster who was fighting for their lives for a playoff spot?

 

[Zalos]

He can improve his skating speed, just like he can put on some more weight in the next few years. Let's not act as if some players weren't able to do that in the past.

I'd also just put a bigger, meaner d-man with him moving forward. He'll be fine.

However, let's not compare him to the two best d-men in the game...

 

[HabzSauce]

I think the harsh reality for pro sports is that you can put in the work and you can ooze natural talent but you don't determine your size. I, and many others on here, would be floored if he became a good defensive player. Can anyone point out someone his size that is or was a good defender?

You can say Makar or Hughes but those guys have all-world skating. From my viewings, Hutson gets beat outside and seems to have issues keeping up with especially fast/strong forwards.

The point I think people are trying to make is - if he does make it as an NHL regular, it's pretty unlikely that he is viewed as a top pairing guy or someone who is relied on to be the main piece of a d-corps. It's more likely that he is a PP specialist and isn't on the ice much for the PK / last minute of play.

I think he plays top 4 at least. Depending on matchups he'd play top 2.

Either way he is going to play lots of minutes. Much more than a PP specialist. Those are big weaknesses in his game you listed tho, I hope he can improve there

 

[OTB]

I think he plays top 4 at least. Depending on matchups he'd play top 2.

Either way he is going to play lots of minutes. Much more than a PP specialist. Those are big weaknesses in his game you listed tho, I hope he can improve there

I dont think it's a good idea to play Hutson top 2 minutes this year. The safest thing to do is shelter is TOI. We don't need him to be a top 2 TOI this year but eventually to make him a top 2 D in couple of years.

We will see alot of shift start in the O-Zone and limited shift start in the D-Zone. I hope we don't see him in tight games on the ice for a D-zone FO. Best thing they can do is slowly increasing is D-zone start on FO when the game is in the books

 

[FrankieandTheSharks]

He’s the Habs’ cover for their Reinbacher miss. It’s very similar to the Hawks, during their rebuild, getting Keith later in the draft to cover for their miss with Cam Barker high in the draft. Successful rebuilds have later round picks that make up for the high picks that miss. Hutson is that cover.

Keith was drafted in 2002, Barker 2004.......

 

[waffledave]

I thought we were beyond that. There have been multiple stars in the league that have been small in stature.

Also, it's not like Hutson's talent was hard to see.

He would have gone in the 1st round if he wasn't a dman.

Small as he is and a dman is really rare, still today.

 

[Zalos]

He would have gone in the 1st round if he wasn't a dman.

Small as he is and a dman is really rare, still today.

There's always gotta be a first. Can't wait to see Lane prove them all wrong like MSL did back then.

 

[waffledave]

There's always gotta be a first. Can't wait to see Lane prove them all wrong like MSL did back then.

I am confident he will be a star. I've watched him play enough, he has abilities I have never seen before. I think he challenges for the Calder.

But they are the exception. There are far more small statured players that have not been successful in the pros. Defensemen in particular.

Hutson is an exception too.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I would qualify that by saying his speed is a weakness, his skating as a whole is not

This is the correct analysis.

Hutson now relies more on elusiveness and edge work to gain the separation he needs to make those hi-lite plays that brings so much excitement when he plays. He’ll never will be a river skater who can go end to end with puck. But even if he doesn’t gain any straight -line speed as he matures, he has enough overall mobility to still be a star in the NHL.

This is a special player who, if used properly, can change any team’s overall trajectory.

 

[Oak]

I would qualify that by saying his speed is a weakness, his skating as a whole is not

Good edgework and shiftiness but not enough speed to create separation at the nhl level.

Quinn Hughes is currently the blue print to succeed as a small D. I don't condider Makar as small as Hughes and he also plays a more complete game. Both are unicorns though.

Hughes is speed, edgework, and exceptional IQ. I don't see much of Hughes in Hutson although I will admit Hutson is a special and dynamic player.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Good edgework and shiftiness but not enough speed to create separation at the nhl level.

He’s looked spectacular creating separation so far so I disagree but only time will tell

 

[Oak]

He’s looked spectacular creating separation so far so I disagree but only time will tell

Sorry I edited my post after you replied so you might have missed something. I disagree with your opinion but even if it is currently true it is the preseason so a lot of guys half assing it.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Good edgework and shiftiness but not enough speed to create separation at the nhl level.

Quinn Hughes is currently the blue print to succeed as a small D. I don't condider Makar as small as Hughes and he also plays a more complete game. Both are unicorns though.

Hughes is speed, edgework, and exceptional IQ. I don't see much of Hughes in Hutson although I will admit Hutson is a special and dynamic player.

How is the 2024 norris trophy winner the blueprint to suceed in the nhl for a small D?
A small D doesn't need to be norris caliber to succeed.

 

[Intangir]

I am confident he will be a star. I've watched him play enough, he has abilities I have never seen before. I think he challenges for the Calder.


Hutson is an exception too.

I like Hutson too, but I'd argue that it's much better to reserve definitive judgments on him as an NHL player for now, wait for him to play more than a handful of games, before we definitively statute in one way or another.

2nd overall in a redraft....behind Slaf.

No, Hutson wouldn't be 2nd overall in a redraft. He'd be a definite top-15 pick, but top 10 is a bit of stretch nevermind top 2 when Nemec has been amazing for the Devils last year and is almost a shoe-in to be a long-term top 4 or even first-pairing D.

I mean, Hutson is amazing, and I think he's gonna be a very good player in the NHL. But again, we've got to pump the brakes for now, let him accumulate the results in games that actually matter, instead of getting too excited and clouding our vision with that hype.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Sorry I edited my post after you replied so you might have missed something. I disagree with your opinion but even if it is currently true it is the preseason so a lot of guys half assing it.

What happens if Hutson was also just ‘half assing it’ ? Wouldn’t that be a kicker.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

I like Hutson too, but I'd argue that it's much better to reserve definitive judgments on him as an NHL player for now, wait for him to play more than a handful of games, before we definitively statute in one way or another.



No, Hutson wouldn't be 2nd overall in a redraft. He'd be a definite top-15 pick, but top 10 is a bit of stretch nevermind top 2 when Nemec has been amazing for the Devils last year and is almost a shoe-in to be a long-term top 4 or even first-pairing D.

I mean, Hutson is amazing, and I think he's gonna be a very good player in the NHL. But again, we've got to pump the brakes for now, let him accumulate the results in games that actually matter, instead of getting too excited and clouding our vision with that hype.

Does Nemec have any offensive ability?