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

[LesCanadiens]

View attachment 763521
Dear Diary,
It is day 637 and the Lane Hutson debate is still not settled. Is he 5'8 or 5'10? No one knows for sure. Many of battles have been fought over this minor detail.
We will continue to draw broad strokes of comparisons and can only hope the arguments will finally settle - but that conclusion looks quite bleak at this point.
Will he boom? Will he bust? Everyone seems to know, but also not know at the same time. These are confusing days we live in. We will march on until he reaches the land of Montreal, and then we will critique every single play will utmost attention, and if he shall mess up, even once, then the bust-boys must have been right all along. The Boards will be flooded with "see, i told you he would bust!" and the vicious cycle will continue all over again.
Is he 5'8 or 5'10?
We may never know.

-fin-

I watched tons of him last season and mostly @montreal highlight/shift packages this season...here's my conservative take:

He's definitely NOT 5'8". I'd say the 5'10" stat is closer, if not a bit under. It's easy to see this with just the eye-test, unless of course he's wearing lifts in his boots.

Based on my personal observations, I don't see size and stature as the big detriment others do. I think his biggest detriment is his defending while skating backwards.

He is an incredibly smart player. AND appears to be a very competitive kid. So I wouldn't ever count him out of anything in any way. And that for me goes a long way.

He's obviously extremely skilled. His deceptiveness is elite-level and I think his IQ and on-ice vision is close to, if not elite. His edge-work is also elite-level. As is his stickhandling. You can literally see shit-stains form on defenders hockey pants in real time when trying to defend him. Especially in tight.

Having said all that. I truly think he'd struggle as a full-time NHL defenseman. So, I see a brighter future for him as a converted left-winger that plays the point on PP1. I truly think he can be a true NHL star in that role.

 

[Frank Drebin]

Guys, get a room.

We are here to talk about the scrawny kid who can't do backwards crossovers.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Guys, get a room.

We are here to talk about the scrawny kid who can't do backwards crossovers.

He doesn't need to when the puck is always in the offensive zone.

 

[cave troll]

Damn, Hutson + Celebrini = Showtime !!
Unreal kids.

 

[montreal]

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

7 goals in 8 games

 

[Michoulicious]

Only one goal? His production has dropped dramatically, -67% less goals vs his last game.

And I also heard he is not very tall.

Lane Bustson

 

[Colezuki]

Only one goal? His production has dropped dramatically, -67% less goals vs his last game.

And I also heard he is not very tall.

Lane Bustson

I hear he may be 5’10 now can anyone confirm?

 

[Michoulicious]

I hear he may be 5’10 now can anyone confirm?

According to my sources, I can confirm he has a height.

 

[Terrier]

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Another goal tonight



8 goals in 9 games

 

[montreal]

 

[Terrier]

Another goal tonight



8 goals in 9 games

Brother Quinn with the hat trick last night.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Hutson averages nearly 29 min of ice time

 

[LemonSauceD]

He’s such an amazing talent and is clearly levels above the rest in terms of offensive ability.

That said, he is probably one of the worst defensive players I’ve seen since Ryan Merkley. BU as a whole suck defensively except for Willander and Gallagher, but Hutson is on another level of just terrible defensively.

I hope he gets converted into a winger. He would EXCEL at that position and would be a better utilization of his skill set. Kid controls play like Patrick Kane and plays with the same kind of swagger.

 

[JiricekSaveUs]

I promise you he’s not 5’10 haha. That being said, I don’t think it matters. He’s got special talent and I think he’ll be a great NHL defenseman.

 

[Tryamkin]

He’s such an amazing talent and is clearly levels above the rest in terms of offensive ability.

That said, he is probably one of the worst defensive players I’ve seen since Ryan Merkley. BU as a whole suck defensively except for Willander and Gallagher, but Hutson is on another level of just terrible defensively.

I hope he gets converted into a winger. He would EXCEL at that position and would be a better utilization of his skill set. Kid controls play like Patrick Kane and plays with the same kind of swagger.

Hutson is miles clear of Merkley defensively. Not comparable.

 

[DatDude44]

He’s such an amazing talent and is clearly levels above the rest in terms of offensive ability.

That said, he is probably one of the worst defensive players I’ve seen since Ryan Merkley. BU as a whole suck defensively except for Willander and Gallagher, but Hutson is on another level of just terrible defensively.

I hope he gets converted into a winger. He would EXCEL at that position and would be a better utilization of his skill set. Kid controls play like Patrick Kane and plays with the same kind of swagger.

Care to share detailed analysis as to why his defensive game is “on another level of just terrible.”

 

[LemonSauceD]

Care to share detailed analysis as to why his defensive game is “on another level of just terrible.”

Well where should I start?

Forget he’s 5’9 160ish pounds, he’s very weak, considerably. He’s often rubbed off the puck, is unable to establish himself around the crease as he’s easily overwhelmed, and isn’t able to effectively use his body to gain any sort of positioning advantage you will typically see smaller defenders adjust to as a means to block off the attacker. While bigger guys don’t have to rely so much on positioning as their reach and larger frame naturally takes up more space, but things you want from a smaller defenseman is whether they’re able to position themselves infront of the attacker, forcing the attacker to either dump the puck in or engage in a favourable 1 on 1 match up in which your positioning advantage allows you to be a step ahead at being able to defend the play. Hutson gets beat 1 on 1 too much because he’s always a step behind in this regard.

His transitional game is just non existent. You aren’t a transitional defenseman simply because you can carry the puck down the ice and make a zone entry. Being able to use your defender, being able to quickly adapt and adjust against an aggressive neutral zone trap, holding the line at your own blueline forcing the attacker to make the higher risk play, and being able to quickly get up ice for an outlet pass, quickly getting back on defense after a turnover or a broken play, etc makes you a good one. Hutson is very much one and done. If he loses the puck, the whole momentum is gone, and he’s the last man back. He doesn’t activate up and down to jump into the play, he cherry picks near his other teammates, sometimes even disrupts the rush and trails his attacking teammate and expects a pass rather than trusting his teammates to a-create a set play and making himself available for more favourable scoring chance or opportunity. He incessantly calls for a pass because he’s unwilling to apply himself in other ways to try and get the puck and needs the puck, almost selfishly, to be able to remain effective offensively. The trade off is, at least he’s exceptionally talented and creative and will create a scoring chance. However, at the pros, this type of play style quickly runs it’s course if you can’t develop other methods of puck retrieval. His versatility and aggressiveness is also a lot to be desired.

 

[Jamaican Patty]

Well where should I start?

Forget he’s 5’9 160ish pounds, he’s very weak, considerably. He’s often rubbed off the puck, is unable to establish himself around the crease as he’s easily overwhelmed, and isn’t able to effectively use his body to gain any sort of positioning advantage you will typically see smaller defenders adjust to as a means to block off the attacker. While bigger guys don’t have to rely so much on positioning as their reach and larger frame naturally takes up more space, but things you want from a smaller defenseman is whether they’re able to position themselves infront of the attacker, forcing the attacker to either dump the puck in or engage in a favourable 1 on 1 match up in which your positioning advantage allows you to be a step ahead at being able to defend the play. Hutson gets beat 1 on 1 too much because he’s always a step behind in this regard.

His transitional game is just non existent. You aren’t a transitional defenseman simply because you can carry the puck down the ice and make a zone entry. Being able to use your defender, being able to quickly adapt and adjust against an aggressive neutral zone trap, holding the line at your own blueline forcing the attacker to make the higher risk play, and being able to quickly get up ice for an outlet pass, quickly getting back on defense after a turnover or a broken play, etc makes you a good one. Hutson is very much one and done. If he loses the puck, the whole momentum is gone, and he’s the last man back. He doesn’t activate up and down to jump into the play, he cherry picks near his other teammates, sometimes even disrupts the rush and trails his attacking teammate and expects a pass rather than trusting his teammates to a-create a set play and making himself available for more favourable scoring chance or opportunity. He incessantly calls for a pass because he’s unwilling to apply himself in other ways to try and get the puck and needs the puck, almost selfishly, to be able to remain effective offensively. The trade off is, at least he’s exceptionally talented and creative and will create a scoring chance. However, at the pros, this type of play style quickly runs it’s course if you can’t develop other methods of puck retrieval. His versatility and aggressiveness is also a lot to be desired.

Do you think Lane Huston is better than Quinn Hughes right now?

 

[Dion TheFluff]

only 3 assist in 9 games so far.
Tough to see him transitioning well to the pros with playmaking like that, especially when u factor in his size and average skating.
Might be able to carve out a niche Erik Gustaffson type career.

 

[Terrier]

He’s such an amazing talent and is clearly levels above the rest in terms of offensive ability.

That said, he is probably one of the worst defensive players I’ve seen since Ryan Merkley. BU as a whole suck defensively except for Willander and Gallagher, but Hutson is on another level of just terrible defensively.

I hope he gets converted into a winger. He would EXCEL at that position and would be a better utilization of his skill set. Kid controls play like Patrick Kane and plays with the same kind of swagger.

I attend every BU home game and most of the road games, and I get a kick out of hearing the "oohs and aahs" when Lane is doing his thing, particularly when we think he's cornered on the point and he slips away.

 

[Herby]

only 3 assist in 9 games so far.
Tough to see him transitioning well to the pros with playmaking like that, especially when u factor in his size and average skating.
Might be able to carve out a niche Erik Gustaffson type career.

Conveniently ignoring what he did last season and also ignoring him being at almost goal-per-game as a defender.

Watch the kid play and there is no way you would have the opinion that you have.

 

[LemonSauceD]

I attend every BU home game and most of the road games, and I get a kick out of hearing the "oohs and aahs" when Lane is doing his thing, particularly when we think he's cornered on the point and he slips away.

He’s an amazing talent. His offensive IQ and puck skills are elite.

only 3 assist in 9 games so far.
Tough to see him transitioning well to the pros with playmaking like that, especially when u factor in his size and average skating.
Might be able to carve out a niche Erik Gustaffson type career.

He’s probably one of the best playmaking prospects I’ve seen in the last 5 years, forwards and defenseman.

 

[WarriorofTime]

It'll be interesting to see him at the World Juniors. Big question is will the Canadians look at him as the guy you dump every puck into his corner and attack on the forecheck every time he's on the ice (assuming the countries meet). That's the number 1 thing I'll be watching for. If dumping in your direction becomes an automatic puck retrieval for the opposition, becomes really hard to play you on defense in the NHL.