Opponents have being saying the same thing about Hutson his whole career. This kid has fire inside him to match his elite skills that has allowed him to succeed at every level. This year he's almost a certainty to win the Calder despite every team's efforts to bully him. While there's no doubt that in the later stages of the season Hutson started to show signs of wearing down, I think this exceptional player will find that extra gear and pose a real threat to the Caps, and any team that Montreal faces if they get by Washington.
Hutson has been a revelation to most fans. And now he has Demidov to play with. If I was Washington and their fans, I would be concerned. Montreal comes into the playoffs with nothing to lose. They are playing with the bank's money which makes them the most dangerous type of underdog to face. They have overachieved all season long. Maybe they'll do it one more time.
The difference is he is doing it against men now. Huston is scouted and known now. Demidov I think is absolutely legit and will be a top 10 player in the league in the next 5 years, but I don't see obvious weakness in his game that prevents him from doing it at the NHL. He is big, strong on his skates, high IQ, moves around effortlessly with a glide.
Hutson on the other hand, I have no doubt will very likely be an offensive dman for many years in the NHL. When we are talking about him in the sphere of elite dmen though? I just see too many flaws he has to overcome. I don't blame Habs fans for believing in him. I just think it is not necessarily an effort thing.
Look at a guy like Nick Robertson. Plays with fire and as if he was 6 foot 5 but he is like 5 foot 9 and no matter how much he battles, he will never be that player win board battles. When he finds open ice, the puck is in the net most of the time.
I see a lot of similarities there. When Hutson has the puck and time, he is a breakout machine. At the blueline, he draws in players and is able to create space for his team mates. But there were other great offensive dmen who had those abilities but never became franchise dmen.
I will likely be called a hater, but it's my honest opinion. Even when he is 26/27, no level of intelligence and experience is going to allow him to box out his net against big forwards, or protect pucks and take a hit to make a play down low because he will end up injured. And I think as the Habs become more serious about contending, these flaws are going to become more of a sore spot.
