An expert reveals at which position Lane Hutson should have been drafted: the Montreal Canadiens hit a home run
The Canadiens' management selected a small offensive defenseman named Lane Hutson with the 62nd overall pick in the 2022 draft. While his talent was never in question, his size is the main reason why so many general managers passed on the Canadiens' prospect.
However, just one year later, many teams are regretting not drafting him when they had the chance. Indeed, Hutson had one of the most impressive post-draft seasons for a defenseman playing in the NCAA.
Even though he stood at only 5 feet 8 inches and weighed 159 pounds when Kent Hughes announced his selection, the Michigan native wasted no time proving NHL general managers wrong. In his first year with Boston University, Hutson was simply incredible, tallying 15 goals and 33 assists (48 points) in just 39 games.
His offensive production placed him ahead of star defensemen like Adam Fox and Quinn Hughes for the best points-per-game average for a defenseman aged 20 and under in the NCAA. He even broke a 35-year-old record held by former New York Rangers legend Brian Leetch. Additionally, his remarkable performances made him a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the best college player in the United States.
Despite his small stature, the 19-year-old defenseman possesses exceptional vision and phenomenal hands. He can outplay anyone on the ice and puts on a show every time he touches the puck. Lane Hutson is also highly mobile, which helps him mystify opposing defenders with his dekes. Of course, there are aspects of his game that he needs to work on before he can make the jump to the NHL, but it seems like the Canadiens made a real steal by selecting him at the end of the second round.
Former Nashville Predators scout Kyle Woodlief made a significant statement during his appearance on "The Sick Podcast With Tony Marinaro," mentioning that if Lane Hutson had been a little taller, he would undoubtedly have been a top-3 draft pick.
Wow! What's encouraging is that Lane Hutson continues to grow, as he has likely gained at least an inch since the draft. Affected by a medical condition that slightly delays his physical development, it is very likely that he will enter the NHL at 5'10" or 5'11". One thing is certain: the Canadiens' prospect is undoubtedly destined for a very promising future, and we are all eager to see him wearing the Canadiens jersey.
Imagine if the organization has indeed acquired a player with the talent and potential to be a top-3 pick, all with the 62nd overall selection. It could seriously become a major coup for the Canadiens!
| POLL | ||
Do you think Hutson will reach the 50-points mark in his first NHL season? | ||
| Yes | 48 | 46.6 % |
| No | 55 | 53.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
