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

[montreal]

 

[wetcoast]

I think Devils, BlueJacket, Huricane, and probably Kings and Ducks fans would argue against that.

Agree and chances are that maybe 5 other teams have better Dmen in the system when it's all said and done.

I wish the kid well and hope I'm wrong but it's a better bet that he becomes a PP specialist and maybe a #3 or 4 Damn than a anchor on the top pair.

 

[Michoulicious]

Hutson with the OT winner in the 1st game of the season

Doesn't look that small to me.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Doesn't look that small to me.

Was thinking the same thing. 5'10", 162 lb, according to the BU website, so not exactly tiny, but could obviously use a few more pounds at the pro level.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Not entirely.

It's hard to tell what any player will be.

Hutson could be better than Hughes, Fox, or even Makar.

Or he could struggle to be better than Chris f***ing Wideman.

Not entirely sure either way, however saying he's for sure going to be better than the aforementioned is being a homer and saying he's going to struggle to be better than Wideman is a hater, but it's all possible.

Sure, nobody knows with complete certainty how any prospect will fare, even more so a 62OA pick. But let's do some comps with the NHL superstar defensemen you mentioned, all of whom played NCAA hockey.

Hutson had the same assist total, 33, with one less goal, 15, as Makar did during his dominant Hobey Baker sophomore season, while playing in 2 fewer games. Hutson accomplished that as a freshman. Fox matched Hutson's 48 points (9G, 39A) as a junior. Hughes didn't come close, scoring 33 points (5G, 28A) in his best season, as a sophomore.

Concern about Hutson's size, 5'10", 162 lb, at age 19 is overblown. Makar turns 25 in 3 weeks, 5'11", 187 lb. Fox is 25, 5'11", 182 lb. Hughes is 24 next week, 5'10", 180 lb.

The guy had a truly historic NCAA freshman season, playing in a top conference. He might never even approach the level of Makar, Fox, and Hughes, but he at least deserves to be in the discussion until he comes up short in the NHL. I really think the Habs made an absolute steal of a pick.

 

[SlafCaufield]

this kid is literally Niedermayer

 

[Crazy8oooo]

Sure, nobody knows with complete certainty how any prospect will fare, even more so a 62OA pick. But let's do some comps with the NHL superstar defensemen you mentioned, all of whom played NCAA hockey.

Hutson had the same assist total, 33, with one less goal, 15, as Makar did during his dominant Hobey Baker sophomore season, while playing in 2 fewer games. Hutson accomplished that as a freshman. Fox matched Hutson's 48 points (9G, 39A) as a junior. Hughes didn't come close, scoring 33 points (5G, 28A) in his best season, as a sophomore.

Concern about Hutson's size, 5'10", 162 lb, at age 19 is overblown. Makar turns 25 in 3 weeks, 5'11", 187 lb. Fox is 25, 5'11", 182 lb. Hughes is 24 next week, 5'10", 180 lb.

The guy had a truly historic NCAA freshman season, playing in a top conference. He might never even approach the level of Makar, Fox, and Hughes, but he at least deserves to be in the discussion until he comes up short in the NHL. I really think the Habs made an absolute steal of a pick.

I’m not looking to dismiss his NCAA accomplishment from last season, but how can one season at the college level make him deserving of being discussed on the same level of Makar, Fox, and Hughes when those three have been doing what they’ve done at the actual NHL level? It’s nice to have a prospect overachieve after being drafted and he may very well become a very good NHL player, but one college season does not make him worthy of now being discussed amongst the best NHL defensemen. That’s seriously over the top. Instead of saying he’s worthy of being discussed amongst them until he comes up short in the NHL, it should be, he’s not worthy of it until he actually shows he can meet their level at the NHL level.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

I’m not looking to dismiss his NCAA accomplishment from last season, but how can one season at the college level make him deserving of being discussed on the same level of Makar, Fox, and Hughes when those three have been doing what they’ve done at the actual NHL level? It’s nice to have a prospect overachieve after being drafted and he may very well become a very good NHL player, but one college season does not make him worthy of now being discussed amongst the best NHL defensemen. That’s seriously over the top. Instead of saying he’s worthy of being discussed amongst them until he comes up short in the NHL, it should be, he’s not worthy of it until he actually shows he can meet their level at the NHL level.

How else to compare a prospect's potential? You compare their numbers in their current league with those of established NHL'ers who played in that same league.

I mean, this isn't rocket science. No one is saying Hutson is destined to be a star NHL player. They are saying that is tracking well compared to established NHLers who took the same path.

 

[Crazy8oooo]

How else to compare a prospect's potential? You compare their numbers in their current league with those of established NHL'ers who played in that same league.

I mean, this isn't rocket science. No one is saying Hutson is destined to be a star NHL player. They are saying that is tracking well compared to established NHLers who took the same path.

Very few players ever reach the level as those top NHL players, at the actual NHL level. To say because of one collegiate season that he is now worthy of being discussed amongst them until it’s proven that he won’t become what they have become at the NHL level, is foolish. It is indeed not rocket science. He is nowhere near their level until he’s actually proven that he can do what they’re doing in the actual NHL. You guys are using backwards logic.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Very few players ever reach the level as those top NHL players, at the actual NHL level. To say because of one collegiate season that he is now worthy of being discussed amongst them until it’s proven that he won’t become what they have become at the NHL level, is foolish. It is indeed not rocket science. He is nowhere near their level until he’s actually proven that he can do what they’re doing in the actual NHL. You guys are using backwards logic.

Using that logic, we can't project any prospect by comparing to established NHL players. Which is really really dumb logic.

 

[Crazy8oooo]

Using that logic, we can't project any prospect by comparing to established NHL players. Which is really really dumb logic.

There’s a difference between projecting players’ futures with similarities of another player versus saying until a player’s proven to come up short in the NHL then he’s worthy of being discussed at the same level as the best of the best players in the NHL.

A great example. Just a few posts above, you have someone stating, “this kid is literally Niedermayer”. So, after one great college season, Hutson is now going to be a hall of fame player?

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

There’s a difference between projecting players’ futures versus saying until a player’s proven to come up short in the NHL then he’s worthy of being discussed at the same level as the best of the best players in the NHL.

A great example. Just a few posts above, you have someone stating, “this kid is literally Niedermayer”. So, after one great college season, Hutson is now going to be a hall of fame player?

Don't humor that troll. And don't make strawman arguments.

Do I think he'll reach the level of Makar, Fox, and Hughes in the show? Probably not. Those are rare players. Do I think he can be legitimately compared to them as an NCAA sophomore? Absolutely.

I recall Quinn being denounced at the WJC for his defensive lapses and Makar being questioned because he played for the Brooks Bandits.

We either pump these prospects up or dismiss them way too easily.

Hutson falls into the latter category for me. I suspect his lowly draft pedigree doesn't help his case.

 

[Crazy8oooo]

Don't humor that troll. And don't make strawman arguments.

Do I think he'll reach the level of Makar, Fox, and Hughes in the show? Probably not. Those are rare players. Do I think he can be legitimately compared to them as an NCAA sophomore? Absolutely.

I recall Quinn being denounced at the WJC for his defensive lapses and Makar being questioned because he played for the Brooks Bandits.

We either pump these prospects up or dismiss them way too easily.

Hutson falls into the latter category for me. I suspect his lowly draft pedigree doesn't help his case.

I have no issues with his college season being compared to other players’ college seasons of the past. I also agree that he may be under appreciated. But I think that more so has to do with the extreme pumping up that some Habs fans have done, almost as though he’s a lock for a hall of fame career.

Where I disagree is your statement of he may or may not reach the level of three of the best NHL dmen, but until he falls short, he deserves to be discussed amongst them. You seem reasonable so perhaps I misunderstood your comment. But if not, I’m sure you can understand the opposition to it.

 

[Gliff]

literally the best defenceman outside of the NHL and people are talking about him like hes a scrub in here

The only way he loses the title is if he makes the NHL at the end of this season or if Reinbacher passes him

I wish my parents loved me as much as you love Habs prospects.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

I have no issues with his college season being compared to other players’ college seasons of the past. I also agree that he may be under appreciated. But I think that more so has to do with the extreme pumping up that some Habs fans have done, almost as though he’s a lock for a hall of fame career.

Where I disagree is your statement of he may or may not reach the level of three of the best NHL dmen, but until he falls short, he deserves to be discussed amongst them. You seem reasonable so perhaps I misunderstood your comment. But if not, I’m sure you can understand the opposition to it.

I overstated the case and retract the bolded. I'll stick with "deserves to be discussed among them as an NCAA sophomore".

For anyone reading this thread ... Will you regard Hutson more favorably if he duplicates his freshman numbers this season?

That's a distinct possibility, especially if him and Celebrini find chemistry on the PP.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

 

[Crazy8oooo]

I overstated the case and retract the bolded. I'll stick with "deserves to be discussed among them as an NCAA sophomore".

For anyone reading this thread ... Will you regard Hutson more favorably if he duplicates his freshman numbers this season?

That's a distinct possibility, especially if him and Celebrini find chemistry on the PP.

I can’t speak for others, but I think he’s been great at the NCAA level. Despite what he does there, however, I’d like to see how it translates to the NHL, given his size. Similarly to how I feel about my favorite teams prospect, Zellweger. I think they have some challenges ahead of them. There’s no doubting the talent though. We’ve all seen excellent prospects tear up lower leagues only to falter at the NHL level due to some sort of limitation/disadvantage they may have. Let’s face it, he has a size disadvantage (as does Zell). Would love to see them both translate their skills over though.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Just dominant in that game. What is evident is he is much faster than he was last season. His skating has improved significantly. He also doesn't look as small as he did last season.

He certainly is fun to watch.

I have no issues with his college season being compared to other players’ college seasons of the past. I also agree that he may be under appreciated. But I think that more so has to do with the extreme pumping up that some Habs fans have done, almost as though he’s a lock for a hall of fame career.

Where I disagree is your statement of he may or may not reach the level of three of the best NHL dmen, but until he falls short, he deserves to be discussed amongst them. You seem reasonable so perhaps I misunderstood your comment. But if not, I’m sure you can understand the opposition to it.

That is all i am comparing Lane Hutson too. He had the best offensive season for a freshman dman since Brian Leetch. That is quite an impressive feat. Habs fans have reason to be excited.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Just dominant in that game. What is evident is he is much faster than he was last season. His skating has improved significantly. He also doesn't look as small as he did last season.

He certainly is fun to watch.


That is all i am comparing Lane Hutson too. He had the best offensive season for a freshman dman since Brian Leetch. That is quite an impressive feat. Habs fans have reason to be excited.

Amazing elusiveness. Teases the opponent with the puck and immediately darts into open ice when challenged. We're seeing the benefit of small-area games practice in his skill set.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

269 touches of the puck in one game!?!? Ya, okay, it's against Bentley in the first game of the season, but still.

 

[Yasuo]

Imagine if him and Celebrini stay another year and Cole Hutson and Eiserman join them. That first pp would be insane.

 

[Andrei79]

this kid is literally Niedermayer

He plays nothing like Niedermayer.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Imagine if him and Celebrini stay another year and Cole Hutson and Eiserman join them. That first pp would be insane.

If Celebrini is drafted #1/2, he'll almost certainly be one-and-done.

If Lane Hutson repeats his freshman numbers, he'll be a leading Hobey candidate, and probably gone too. What more would he have to learn/prove at that level?

It would be a ridiculously exciting team though.

 

[MXD]

269 touches of the puck in one game!?!? Ya, okay, it's against Bentley in the first game of the season, but still.

...Also more than 4 minutes of puck possession. Which is... utterly ridiculous.

 

[BelovedIsles]

He looks like 4th forward out there. I see the Hughes comparison, though looks like he has a longer reach.