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

[Wats]

He's a 1st pairing defenseman on the Sharks and had Methot being his partner in Ottawa.

So maybe Hutson could be a "1st pairing defenseman" if they attach him with a good shutdown defenseman. Hopefully not Reinbacher though as that just seems to be a waste.

Perhaps that Engstrom guy that Habs fans like would do it.

Why would it be a waste to pair Reinbacher with him if by some good fortune both end up developing well enough to play 22+min/game? Reinbacher will be hopefully threatening enough offensively that defenders won't overload Hutson at the point and defensively he can help make up some of Hutson's flaws. Double shifting Hutson on PPs and making him start most of the ozone faceoffs would be an easy way to increase his icetime while limiting his risks.

Engstrom had as good as a draft+1 you can hope from him but not sure he's a 1st pairing guy.

 

[Guadana]

I will start by saying I despise Montreal and disagree with you.

To your first paragraph, you are wrong. Hutson is a significantly better player than Casey. If anyone is to succeed at the next level it will be Hutson because of his game breaking offensive ability. You claim that small defenders can't defend, but then go on and claim that Casey can. You are contradicting yourself.

Your response to my second post seems like a bunch of rambling. I'm not quite sure what you are trying to say to be honest.

First of all you are don’t understand what are you talkin about, for the second, you even can’t read. I said Casey is better as defenseman for now but he is in the same room with problems to solve. I’m done if you have no arguments and can’t even read what people are talking about. “Better” isn’t the argument or example or what do you feel about that. I’m not talking about feelings. If I would, my predraft writings and rankings wouldnt be so close to what is going on and how players develop after.
And of course you don’t inderstand. So let’s agree to end here.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

He's a 1st pairing defenseman on the Sharks and had Methot being his partner in Ottawa.

So maybe Hutson could be a "1st pairing defenseman" if they attach him with a good shutdown defenseman. Hopefully not Reinbacher though as that just seems to be a waste.

Perhaps that Engstrom guy that Habs fans like would do it.

Reinberg is the ideal pairing for Hutson.

 

[Xirik]

Why would it be a waste to pair Reinbacher with him if by some good fortune both end up developing well enough to play 22+min/game? Reinbacher will be hopefully threatening enough offensively that defenders won't overload Hutson at the point and defensively he can help make up some of Hutson's flaws. Double shifting Hutson on PPs and making him start most of the ozone faceoffs would be an easy way to increase his icetime while limiting his risks.

Engstrom had as good as a draft+1 you can hope from him but not sure he's a 1st pairing guy.

Reinbacher would need to cover some of the deficiencies in Hutson game and sacrifice some of his game. Montreal didn't use their 5th OV pick to get a stay at home shutdown defenseman, You don't waste top 10 or top 5 picks on that.

 

[bigdog16]

First of all you are don’t understand what are you talkin about, for the second, you even can’t read. I said Casey is better as defenseman for now but he is in the same room with problems to solve. I’m done if you have no arguments and can’t even read what people are talking about. “Better” isn’t the argument or example or what do you feel about that. I’m not talking about feelings. If I would, my predraft writings and rankings wouldnt be so close to what is going on and how players develop after.
And of course you don’t inderstand. So let’s agree to end here.

Ok Mr. Physics I don't know what I'm talking about. There isn't a GM on planet earth that is taking Casey over Hutson

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Reinbacher would need to cover some of the deficiencies in Hutson game and sacrifice some of his game. Montreal didn't use their 5th OV pick to get a stay at home shutdown defenseman, You don't waste top 10 or top 5 picks on that.

How is Reinbacher going to have to change his game and be a home shutdown defenseman if he's paired with Hutson? Hutson's deficiencies will be in the D-zone. If Reinbacher is paired with Hutson, he might need to cover a little bit more area in the D-zone, but that won't change his game.

Reinbacher plays a completely different type of game from Hutson. They complement each other well. This isn't like let's say a Hutson - Hughes pairing where both play a similar kind of game and want to do the same thing.

 

[Xirik]

How is Reinbacher going to have to change his game and be a home shutdown defenseman if he's paired with Hutson? Hutson's deficiencies will be in the D-zone. If Reinbacher is paired with Hutson, he might need to cover a little bit more area in the D-zone, but that won't change his game.

Reinbacher plays a completely different type of game from Hutson. They complement each other well. This isn't like let's say a Hutson - Hughes pairing where both play a similar kind of game and want to do the same thing.

Cause Reinbacher has a offensive upside and he wouldn't be able to show it very well with Hutson as a partner. most shutdown defenseman have 10-17 points a season, Reinbacher is a player that could probably do 40pts.

As I said before Xhekaj and eventually Engstrom would fit better with Hutson.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Cause Reinbacher has a offensive upside and he wouldn't be able to show it very well with Hutson as a partner. most shutdown defenseman have 10-17 points a season, Reinbacher is a player that could probably do 40pts.

As I said before Xhekaj and eventually Engstrom would fit better with Hutson.

If anything Reinbacher will become even better offensively playing with a partner as offensively talented as Hutson.

Just look at Toews, who went from being a 30 pt player with the Islanders to being a 50+ pt defenseman playing with Makar.

Film Room: The Magic of Cale Makar and Devon Toews

Cale Makar and Devon Toews…has a more perfect match ever existed? When the Colorado Avalanche traded for Devon Toews in 2020, they imagined him fitting next to Makar. I’m not sure they could have imagined him fitting any better than he has. Long gone are the days of pairing an offensive...

coloradohockeynow.com

That's the best d-pairing in the nhl, and a Hutson - Reinbacher pairing is of a similar type.

 

[Fatass]

You didn't even watch him play one whole game and you have an opinion? gtfo man.

It’s an opinion that applies across the board to small D men. They need to be high scoring and committed to their play without the puck. This kid looks good with the puck, which highlights focus on. If he is committed to playing the right way without the puck, then he’s going to be a good player. If he lacks that drive then he’s not going to succeed. It’s not an opinion just about this player. It’s an opinion that applies to all NHL prospective D, especially the small ones.

 

[montreal]

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Ok Mr. Physics I don't know what I'm talking about. There isn't a GM on planet earth that is taking Casey over Hutson

You mean aside from the GM who drafted him 16 spots ahead of Hutson only a year ago? You're right you don't know what you're talking about.

I had Casey ahead of Hutson at the draft and that's not yet changed. He's a much more complete defenseman with a ton of dynamic offensive skill in his own right. I think both guys are going to be NHL defensemen, but I find Casey's game to be much translatable.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

You mean aside from the GM who drafted him 16 spots ahead of Hutson only a year ago? You're right you don't know what you're talking about.

I had Casey ahead of Hutson at the draft and that's not yet changed. He's a much more complete defenseman with a ton of dynamic offensive skill in his own right. I think both guys are going to be NHL defensemen, but I find Casey's game to be much translatable.

That was before Hutson had the best freshman season for a defenseman in 40 years.

 

[Legend123]

You mean aside from the GM who drafted him 16 spots ahead of Hutson only a year ago? You're right you don't know what you're talking about.

I had Casey ahead of Hutson at the draft and that's not yet changed. He's a much more complete defenseman with a ton of dynamic offensive skill in his own right. I think both guys are going to be NHL defensemen, but I find Casey's game to be much translatable.

By that dumb logic, all the gms will take their guys again before Hutson.

I can tell you for a fact in a redraft habs would pick Hutson before Beck and Mesar

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

That was before Hutson had the best freshman season for a defenseman in 40 years.

Hutson outproduced him by about the same margin during their draft year, and he still dropped well past Casey.

 

[Michoulicious]

You mean aside from the GM who drafted him 16 spots ahead of Hutson only a year ago? You're right you don't know what you're talking about.

I had Casey ahead of Hutson at the draft and that's not yet changed. He's a much more complete defenseman with a ton of dynamic offensive skill in his own right. I think both guys are going to be NHL defensemen, but I find Casey's game to be much translatable.

Hutson was selected on the USA U20 squad and was part of the men USA WC team in his draft +1, not Casey. It kind of means many, many hockey people see his game as superior to Casey's. He also had an historical season in the NCAA on way weaker team than Casey's, and was nominated for the Hobey Baker as a freshman.

Maybe in the D-1 I could have seen a logic to have Casey in front of Hutson, but perseverating in this at this point is... interesting.

We'll see, I guess.

 

[Guadana]

Finally people start to complain about real thing - who is better overall - Casey or Hutson. Both aren't top defensive prospects. Second tier - may be. But both are derensemen with high offensive potential and defensive issues on the physical basement.
Will see how they will translate their game on the adult level, where they should save they puck on the boards in thr corner of blue line against top heavy wingers, where they should play behind the net, how they will broke the drive on the net, how they develop their positional/zone defense against the cycling(both have good enough skating but both aren't the perfect positional defensemem, both have smaller space control) etc.
It doesn't make them bad prospects, because they are very good(Hutson is better offensively, has great offensive iq, Casey is better as one on one defenseman), but questionable how they will figure out defensive game, and if they don't, its a limited role. May be they will be in the middle. Will see.

 

[bigdog16]

You mean aside from the GM who drafted him 16 spots ahead of Hutson only a year ago? You're right you don't know what you're talking about.

I had Casey ahead of Hutson at the draft and that's not yet changed. He's a much more complete defenseman with a ton of dynamic offensive skill in his own right. I think both guys are going to be NHL defensemen, but I find Casey's game to be much translatable.

What? Im saying today there is not a GM taking Casey over Hutson in a redraft. Hutson’s D+1 blew Caseys out of the water

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

One thing with Hutson is our the Centers or Wingers who will play with him are gonna have to be ready to play D in the ozone and rotate alot , when this guy activates boy does he activate , and if we want him to reach his peak well he's gonna have to activate often it's deadly when it works and on the Pp but counter attack goals on the rush are prime pickings for NHL teams we will have to be careful that his adventures in the Ozone don't cost us

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Hutson was selected on the USA U20 squad and was part of the men USA WC team in his draft +1, not Casey. It kind of means many, many hockey people see his game as superior to Casey's. He also had an historical season in the NCAA on way weaker team than Casey's, and was nominated for the Hobey Baker as a freshman.

Maybe in the D-1 I could have seen a logic to have Casey in front of Hutson, but perseverating in this at this point is... interesting.

We'll see, I guess.

Hutson also had a more productive draft year than Casey, but he was still drafted after him.

If I had to pick a guy who could run my PP unit, I'd take Hutson. If I needed a better all around defenseman, I'd take Casey.

What? Im saying today there is not a GM taking Casey over Hutson in a redraft. Hutson’s D+1 blew Caseys out of the water

His draft year was also much more productive than Casey's, yet he still fell.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Hutson also had a more productive draft year than Casey, but he was still drafted after him.

If I had to pick a guy who could run my PP unit, I'd take Hutson. If I needed a better all around defenseman, I'd take Casey.


His draft year was also much more productive than Casey's, yet he still fell.

Be honest, in a re-draft, and armed with hindsight, who are you picking? Casey or Hutson?

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Be honest, in a re-draft, and armed with hindsight, who are you picking? Casey or Hutson?

Casey without hesitation. I had him 4th overall in my final pre-draft rankings, and he's done nothing but impress since.

I don't think people fully appreciate how good he was this year, despite playing behind Hughes. His performance in their frozen four semis vs Quinnipiac was unbelievable. He was the best player on the ice, in a game featuring guys like Fantilli and Hughes.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Casey without hesitation. I had him 4th overall in my final pre-draft rankings, and he's done nothing but impress since.

I don't think people fully appreciate how good he was this year, despite playing behind Hughes. His performance in their frozen four semis vs Quinnipiac was unbelievable. He was the best player on the ice, in a game featuring guys like Fantilli and Hughes.

So Hutson's unprecedented season didn't move the needle eh? lol

 

[BKarchitect]

Be honest, in a re-draft, and armed with hindsight, who are you picking? Casey or Hutson?

Hutson would not be a slam dunk over Casey. I’d probably lean Hutson but what Casey showed on UM was also extremely impressive and I think he’s got more paths to develop along, more outcomes at the NHL level. Hutson’’s pure upside is attractive though.

Here’s what I want to know - what happens in the very plausible scenario that Hutson does two things this season: advances his strength, skating and play without the puck and also doesn’t produce as much as he did last year in this version of the Terriers.

Will the fanboys who are glomming on his statistical season this year suddenly say “oh - I guess he’s gone backwards and is no longer the best projecting OFD prospect ever…”? No of course not - the narrative will be “you need to look past the stats and examine how he has made strides in the way he plays and how his usage has evolved”. Which is of course the correct answer if both those things occur.

Some here need to heed this advice and ability to evaluate past their own excitement when others - who clearly are not saying Hutson is anything but an exciting prospect - may also be saying “tap the breaks, just a bit” or “I still like these players better from the draft” - even if on their EP page and sizzles reels your own bias may conclude “how dare you suggest this player is as good as Hutson!”

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

So Hutson's unprecedented season didn't move the needle eh? lol

It did, just not enough to close the gap between the two. I had Hutson well outside the top 10 because his defensive game is so flawed. His skating has improved a bunch, but he's still easily exposed. He got walked by an AHL caliber player, leading to the US's elimination at the WC.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Hutson would not be a slam dunk over Casey. I’d probably lean Hutson but what Casey showed on UM was also extremely impressive and I think he’s got more paths to develop along, more outcomes at the NHL level. Hutson’’s pure upside is attractive though.

Here’s what I want to know - what happens in the very plausible scenario that Hutson does two things this season: advances his strength, skating and play without the puck and also doesn’t produce as much as he did last year in this version of the Terriers.

Will the fanboys who are glomming on his statistical season this year suddenly say “oh - I guess he’s gone backwards and is no longer the best projecting OFD prospect ever…”? No of course not - the narrative will be “you need to look past the stats and examine how he has made strides in the way he plays and how his usage has evolved”. Which is of course the correct answer if both those things occur.

Some here need to heed this advice and ability to evaluate past their own excitement when others - who clearly are not saying Hutson is anything but an exciting prospect - may also be saying “tap the breaks, just a bit” or “I still like these players better from the draft” - even if on their EP page and sizzles reels your own bias may conclude “how dare you suggest this player is as good as Hutson!”

I think if Hutson / Casey were drafted this year as 19 year olds, 90% of GMs would take Lane over Seamus based on Lane's historic season and growth. They are essentially the same size - which was the key knock on Lane during his draft.