LD Lane Hutson - Boston University, NCAA (2022, 62nd, MTL)

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Another dramatic game winner, this one with 3 seconds left in the game.

 

[Terrier]

Another dramatic game winner, this one with 3 seconds left in the game.

I was there, Lane Hutson is awesome, a steal.

 

[montreal]

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

He's so talented

 

[Intangir]

He's so talented

Yes, and the best way to nurture that talent is to have constant communication with Hutson on what he needs to improve, get him to become a buff boi, and then leave him in the NCAA as long as it takes to work on his flaws.

Don't let the fancy plays and insanely-skilled keeps of possession make you overhype him, Hutson needs to improve a lot still before he's anywhere near ready for the "Big Show". Or considered a steal, or a "blue-chip prospect" for that matter.

Let's face it, if he wants a strong pro career (and reach his potential), Hutson must yet improve skating/acceleration, improve his arsenal of shots all-around (wrist, slap, release, one-timer, shooting on off-leg, all must get better/quicker if he wants to be a true offensive dynamo), get stronger/taller/heavier to a level where he's able to at least handle NHL-level physicality and not get destroyed, and also MAJORLY polish his defensive reads/angles as he likely never will be able to use size/strength to just muscle people off the puck and thus needs to really hone-in on those facets of the game.

More precisely, it is my personal opinion that it is virtually impossible to be a good defender in your own right in the NHL if you are both small/unable to end the cycle effectively AND also don't have well above NHL-average defensive awareness/stickchecking. Unfortunately, those attributes conducive to good NHL defense (IE size, ++ defensive acumen) are absent from Hutson's repertoire as a player right now, though he has definitely made progress since last year.

So yeah, we should appreciate each and every incredible plays Lane Hutson makes for BU but stop clamouring for him to join our team prematurely. If we as fans want the best for him, we should wait at least one, but preferably two, more years for him to perfect his game in the NCAA.

I still absolutely love the way Hutson plays, how focused he appears to be in interviews, and have very high hopes for him. But keeping a level-head is still best when it comes to prospects. Even prospects as jaw-droppingly talented as Lane Hutson.

 

[BKarchitect]

Yes, and the best way to nurture that talent is to have constant communication with Hutson on what he needs to improve, get him to become a buff boi, and then leave him in the NCAA as long as it takes to work on his flaws.

Don't let the fancy plays and insanely-skilled keeps of possession make you overhype him, Hutson needs to improve a lot still before he's anywhere near ready for the "Big Show". Or considered a steal, or a "blue-chip prospect" for that matter.

Let's face it, if he wants a strong pro career (and reach his potential), Hutson must yet improve skating/acceleration, improve his arsenal of shots all-around (wrist, slap, release, one-timer, shooting on off-leg, all must get better/quicker if he wants to be a true offensive dynamo), get stronger/taller/heavier to a level where he's able to at least handle NHL-level physicality and not get destroyed, and also MAJORLY polish his defensive reads/angles as he likely never will be able to use size/strength to just muscle people off the puck and thus needs to really hone-in on those facets of the game.

More precisely, it is my personal opinion that it is virtually impossible to be a good defender in your own right in the NHL if you are both small/unable to end the cycle effectively AND also don't have well above NHL-average defensive awareness/stickchecking. Unfortunately, those attributes conducive to good NHL defense (IE size, ++ defensive acumen) are absent from Hutson's repertoire as a player right now, though he has definitely made progress since last year.

So yeah, we should appreciate each and every incredible plays Lane Hutson makes for BU but stop clamouring for him to join our team prematurely. If we as fans want the best for him, we should wait at least one, but preferably two, more years for him to perfect his game in the NCAA.

I still absolutely love the way Hutson plays, how focused he appears to be in interviews, and have very high hopes for him. But keeping a level-head is still best when it comes to prospects. Even prospects as jaw-droppingly talented as Lane Hutson.

Great post. It is possible to be enthusiastic but level headed at the same time. To appreciate and yet not get drawn into this ridiculous hype/highlight echo chamber that demands a prospect be labeled mere months after being drafted in a certain way.

We know Hutson is an outstanding college player and a joy to watch. Anybody who followed the US Junior team could have said he’d take to college hockey like a duck to water. He’s uniquely talented and uniquely sized and it’s going to be interesting to watch him develop and to make that next step.

Will the hype fans still be around in two or three years when he’s still in school as an upperclassman developing strength and defensive acumen while some of his draft peers are in the NHL, when he’s aged out of glamour tournaments like the WJC and when his stats have fluctuated and not just gone up like a tech stock in the late 90’s because that’s what happens when you stick around on teams with shifting make-ups and because development is not an even rocket ship to the moon? Or will fans have moved on to the next shiny object “steal”?

I think Hutson has what it takes to defy the odds and become not only an NHL defenseman at his size, but a really good top four blueliner. But it’s gonna take patience even after the initial sizzle is gone.

 

[Zilo44]

Hutson was born to play next to Xhekaj

 

[BKarchitect]

Hutson was born to play next to Xhekaj

I really hope we see this someday!

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

He's so talented

He looks like Datsyuk

 

[Rogie21]

Yes, and the best way to nurture that talent is to have constant communication with Hutson on what he needs to improve, get him to become a buff boi, and then leave him in the NCAA as long as it takes to work on his flaws.

Don't let the fancy plays and insanely-skilled keeps of possession make you overhype him, Hutson needs to improve a lot still before he's anywhere near ready for the "Big Show". Or considered a steal, or a "blue-chip prospect" for that matter.

Let's face it, if he wants a strong pro career (and reach his potential), Hutson must yet improve skating/acceleration, improve his arsenal of shots all-around (wrist, slap, release, one-timer, shooting on off-leg, all must get better/quicker if he wants to be a true offensive dynamo), get stronger/taller/heavier to a level where he's able to at least handle NHL-level physicality and not get destroyed, and also MAJORLY polish his defensive reads/angles as he likely never will be able to use size/strength to just muscle people off the puck and thus needs to really hone-in on those facets of the game.

More precisely, it is my personal opinion that it is virtually impossible to be a good defender in your own right in the NHL if you are both small/unable to end the cycle effectively AND also don't have well above NHL-average defensive awareness/stickchecking. Unfortunately, those attributes conducive to good NHL defense (IE size, ++ defensive acumen) are absent from Hutson's repertoire as a player right now, though he has definitely made progress since last year.

So yeah, we should appreciate each and every incredible plays Lane Hutson makes for BU but stop clamouring for him to join our team prematurely. If we as fans want the best for him, we should wait at least one, but preferably two, more years for him to perfect his game in the NCAA.

I still absolutely love the way Hutson plays, how focused he appears to be in interviews, and have very high hopes for him. But keeping a level-head is still best when it comes to prospects. Even prospects as jaw-droppingly talented as Lane Hutson.

Hutson's skills and skating development is in good hands. Kim Brandvold, who was the Bruins' skills and development coach for seven years, is now a BU assistant coach, joining head coach Jay Pandolfo.

Kim Brandvold - Men's Ice Hockey Coach - Boston University Athletics

Kim Brandvold completed his second season as an assistant coach with the Boston University men's ice hockey team in 2023-24. In just two seasons at BU, Brandovld

goterriers.com

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

He just won't slow down. 2 more assists tonight to give him 24 points in 21 games.

 

[AuraSphere]

I don't think anyone doubted he'd be this dominant even on draft day, I wanted him so bad and considered him a top 15 pick. It's the size that scared everyone, but hopefully he translates at the NHL level - despite being a divisional rival, would be awesome stuff

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

I don't think anyone doubted he'd be this dominant even on draft day, I wanted him so bad and considered him a top 15 pick. It's the size that scared everyone, but hopefully he translates at the NHL level - despite being a divisional rival, would be awesome stuff

He wanted to put those fears to rest he got a bone specialist to show his bone age is younger than his actual age, so there's room to grow.

That's a first to me.

As a hab fan and a team that didn't have a prospect like him, I wanted him at 26th.

 

[KevSkillz4]

I don't think anyone doubted he'd be this dominant even on draft day, I wanted him so bad and considered him a top 15 pick. It's the size that scared everyone, but hopefully he translates at the NHL level - despite being a divisional rival, would be awesome stuff

If Quinn Hughes can do at NHL level with 5"10, Hutson can do when he is going to be at 5"10 too!!

 

[montreal]

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Hutson with 1 goal and 2 assists today.

(Hutson is pretty much the only thing keeping me sane as a Habs fan right now)

 

[Lavar Ball]

BU is pouring it on

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Hutson now has 9 goals and 27 pts in 22 games

7 game point streak

 

[montreal]

 

[badfish]

This was an incredible game by Hutson. Watching the video he could have had another 2-3 assists easy if teammates could finish his incredible and accurate passes.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

I don't think anyone doubted he'd be this dominant even on draft day, I wanted him so bad and considered him a top 15 pick. It's the size that scared everyone, but hopefully he translates at the NHL level - despite being a divisional rival, would be awesome stuff

f***ing nhl gms and scouts doubted it lol.

can't believe some of these dinosaurs get paid to be this clueless.

 

[Canadienna]

Lane Hutson has the highest PPG of any U-19 NCAA defenseman in the last 20 years.

 

[KevSkillz4]

When we are going to re-draft 2022 draft after 5 years, Lane Hutson will be in top 10 easily.

 

[Kennedys]

Lead all defenceman in the NCAA with 27 points in 22 games. At 18yo. All other D in the top 5 are 21yo+