Confirmed with Link: Canadiens sign Lane Hutson to ELC (2023/24-2025/26) - Sweater#48

jfm133

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Nov 6, 2015
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One thing is sure, Hutson is the most divisive prospect I have seen. I wanted him to stay in the NCAA and get faster and stronger, if possible, but now that he signed, I am curious to see him. I don't remember such a small D in the NHL with average speed. This year every time we were facing a team with agressive forecheck I tried to imagine Hutson on the ice.

It took more than 120 games in the NHL to Jordan Harris to adapt to a certain extent to the speed and physical play of the NHL and Harris is now almost 24 years old, and bigger than Hutson by a good margin. He is listed at 190 lbs and I still find him small and Harris is a good skater.

So if Hutson is really a mystery to me because of the insane hype surrounding him. Not his fault, the hype is just so high, I just cannot understand it. To me he should be seen as a long term project hoping he can get stronger and faster with time to help him down the line with his very high IQ on top of it. But he won't play for the Habs next year. He is on the Farrell path for next year and as with Farrell, we will see what he can do in the AHL.
 

salbutera

Registered User
Sep 10, 2019
13,689
14,513
One thing is sure, Hutson is the most divisive prospect I have seen. I wanted him to stay in the NCAA and get faster and stronger, if possible, but now that he signed, I am curious to see him. I don't remember such a small D in the NHL with average speed. This year every time we were facing a team with agressive forecheck I tried to imagine Hutson on the ice.

It took more than 120 games in the NHL to Jordan Harris to adapt to a certain extent to the speed and physical play of the NHL and Harris is now almost 24 years old, and bigger than Hutson by a good margin. He is listed at 190 lbs and I still find him small and Harris is a good skater.

So if Hutson is really a mystery to me because of the insane hype surrounding him. Not his fault, the hype is just so high, I just cannot understand it. To me he should be seen as a long term project hoping he can get stronger and faster with time to help him down the line with his very high IQ on top of it. But he won't play for the Habs next year. He is on the Farrell path for next year and as with Farrell, we will see what he can do in the AHL.
Farrell is not an NHLer, he’s a classic tweener like Locke, Hudon etc. Smaller players need to possess an elite skill set that’s translatable - for Hutson it’s QBing the PP

If Farrell had speed like Gaudreau he’d have a chance but he doesn’t
 

StCaufield

Registered User
Mar 14, 2022
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My scouting notes show me the 360° Denis Savard spinorama he tried in the final four would end up in a separated hip.
Other than empty platitudes of a successful amateur career, I have yet to hear an honest assessment about how an "average" speed 5'9 160lb Defenseman can survive let alone contribute in the NHL.

Don't get me wrong, i think the kid has IQ through the roof, and hes dealt with his size issue all his life, but how can that protect him?

The issue is we already have too many small players on our team. I feel his only hope is to join a team that can spot him in on limited pp duties, insulated with big men. Right now, and the near future, that is not the Habs.
There’s lots of small players who have protected themselves and have learned to in the NHL as well. Adam Fox is a good example. He’s not big at all and he takes care of himself. Rangers have some big guys but they don’t play big at all other than Trouba. There’s going to be a ton of changes before anything so let’s wait and see
 

jfm133

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Nov 6, 2015
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There is no team in the NHL carrying a very small D just to be on the PP. And with Matheson, Guhle, Reinbacher and Mailloux, Montréal will have plenty of Ds that will be able to be good on the PP. Hutson would need to be way better to justify carrying him on the team. Also, if his ceiling is PP specialist, why all the hype? Who is excited about Shayne Gostisbehere?

Farrell is not an NHLer, he’s a classic tweener like Locke, Hudon etc. Smaller players need to possess an elite skill set that’s translatable - for Hutson it’s QBing the PP

If Farrell had speed like Gaudreau he’d have a chance but he doesn’t
 
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McGuires Corndog

Pierre's favorite MONSTER performer
Feb 6, 2008
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There is no team in the NHL carrying a very small D just to be on the PP. And with Matheson, Guhle, Reinbacher and Mailloux, Montréal will have plenty of Ds that will be able to be good on the PP. Hutson would need to be way better to justify carrying him on the team. Also, if his ceiling is PP specialist, why all the hype? Who is excited about Shayne Gostisbehere?

His ceiling is Adam Fox, another sub 6’ defender who’s skating is not elite.

There ya go. That’s why people are excited. Whether or not he can be that good is the question , but that is the ceiling.
 

Naslundforever

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Aug 21, 2015
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There is no team in the NHL carrying a very small D just to be on the PP. And with Matheson, Guhle, Reinbacher and Mailloux, Montréal will have plenty of Ds that will be able to be good on the PP. Hutson would need to be way better to justify carrying him on the team. Also, if his ceiling is PP specialist, why all the hype? Who is excited about Shayne Gostisbehere?
The guy broke ncaa records and is an offensive Defenseman. Breaks my ankles watching from the couch. Don’t worry we’ll flood this thread with hot bust takes if he struggles. Between him and Xekaj for 3rd lhd I would imagine short/medium term.
 

jfm133

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Nov 6, 2015
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You are talking about the Adam Fox that is 25 lbs heavier and two inches taller and a better skater? Continue to be be excited!

His ceiling is Adam Fox, another sub 6’ defender who’s skating is not elite.

There ya go. That’s why people are excited. Whether or not he can be that good is the question , but that is the ceiling.
 

DesmondDekker

Let's diddly go !
Sep 11, 2006
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There is no team in the NHL carrying a very small D just to be on the PP. And with Matheson, Guhle, Reinbacher and Mailloux, Montréal will have plenty of Ds that will be able to be good on the PP. Hutson would need to be way better to justify carrying him on the team. Also, if his ceiling is PP specialist, why all the hype? Who is excited about Shayne Gostisbehere?
Drafting a Gostisbehere clone with a late 2nd rounder!? Sounds like a W to me.

But Hutson could be a special player if he pans out, hence why most are excited about his NHL debut.

If you can’t understand that, I feel sorry for you.
 

dackelljuneaubulis02

Registered User
Oct 13, 2012
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Question marks for sure. But he’s got tons going for him and he has too much fire in his belly to not do what he has to do to get better.

There’s hurdles and they’re not trivial but I can’t see him not being an impact player
 

teamfirst

Registered User
Oct 28, 2016
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I have mix feeling about those sign and burn 1 year of ELC, can't wait to see him play an NHL game on the other end if he pulls a Poehling having to wait until October to see him play again.

Would be so more fun if we where in DA playoffs like when Caufield sign his ELC.
 
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