He's a classic late-bloomer it's looking like, not physically mature until 19-20. I was at the game tonight, he looks really good - really good puck skills, skates, he has an ideal frame etc.
We got lucky.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Hutton
- Thread starter Mr. Canucklehead
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He's a classic late-bloomer it's looking like, not physically mature until 19-20. I was at the game tonight, he looks really good - really good puck skills, skates, he has an ideal frame etc.
We got lucky.
He was a forward turned defensemen and playing in the CCHL made him fly under the radar.
I think credit should be given to Gillis and his staff. They targeted guys they felt were late bloomers. Size, skill, agility was apparently the them.
I am not sure if this has been posted but here's a nice article on Ben Hutton. Seems like the Canucks have done good things for Hutton's development:
http://www.pressherald.com/2014/02/14/ben_hutton_s_a_good_skate_after_all_/
He seems like an awkward skater because he's so big but north-south speed is top-notch. What impressed me was when there was supposed to be a 2 on 1 for Detroit and Larkin was carrying the puck up full speed and from 4-5 feet behind Hutton caught all the way back and eliminated the 2 on 1 by the time Larkin entered our zone.
I just wish he was more physical, he rubbed a Red Wing player out hard last night but a couple times he could have been more aggressive to try and knock him off the puck. He was pretty physical in NCAA so maybe once he adjusts to the NHL he'll be more comfortable using his body.
I just wish he was more physical, he rubbed a Red Wing player out hard last night but a couple times he could have been more aggressive to try and knock him off the puck. He was pretty physical in NCAA so maybe once he adjusts to the NHL he'll be more comfortable using his body.
VanillaCoke
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- Oct 30, 2013
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I kinda agree, from stopped goes first one or two steps are alittle awkward. But it's minor.
Balls Mahoney
2015-2016 HF Premier League World Champion
This kid is a revelation and better than I could have ever imagined. It's amazing a 22-year old rookie from the NCAA most of us have never seen before has managed to step in and become arguably the best offensive defenseman on the team with virtually no hiccups. We were saying last night that he plays a lot like Duncan Keith and I think that's a good comparison. I can't wait to see what he's like after five or six years in the league.
Hutton's poise, not his skating, is really what stands out to me. Mentioning Duncan Keith in the same sentence is a bit absurd right now, but his strong play seems to be projectable going forward too.
Him and Tanev are the foundation of a strong future defense.
Him and Tanev are the foundation of a strong future defense.
he is like a slightly bigger and slower version of Keith. hopefully he can continue to improve into a top dman like Keith.
TheWanderer
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- Nov 15, 2013
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Reminds me of Muzzin, he's a big guy so obviously it's going to be more difficult for him to skate. He's a rough skater, not really a smooth stride but gets it done. Sbisa is someone who has a smooth, crisp stride. Obviously Hutton is a better skater than Sbisa but Hutton's skating is rougher. Nothing significant though.
Yeah but there's a lot more to skating than straight-ahead stride. Edge-work and pivots are particularly important for defensemen and Hutton is good in both areas.
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I mean his agility. It reminds me of Muzzin where he really puts a lot of force into his stride and even his upper body is kind of swinging around. Maybe I'm wrong but to me it looks kind of awkward.
VanillaCoke
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This kid is so ****ing legit.
Gonna be a definite 1st pair* dman probably by next season.
*in his play, not lineup position.
Gonna be a definite 1st pair* dman probably by next season.
*in his play, not lineup position.
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That's expecting a bit too much... plus i think our #1 pairing is set for the next few years. That said its not like our 2nd pairing won't see 20 minutes and he could be our PP QB in the future.
mathonwy
Positively #toxic
- Jan 21, 2008
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Thank you Mike Gillis for drafting Ben Hutton in the 5th round of the 2012 NHL draft
We actually have a transition game.
Our top 4 can now RELIABLY move the puck out of our zone 9 times out of 10. Hutton is probably the best at doing it by himself.
This kid is dynamite and has the potential to be the best offensive d-man in Canuck history.
We actually have a transition game.
Our top 4 can now RELIABLY move the puck out of our zone 9 times out of 10. Hutton is probably the best at doing it by himself.
This kid is dynamite and has the potential to be the best offensive d-man in Canuck history.
VanillaCoke
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Hutton and Tanev (not sure about Edler) will be anchoring our d for mamy years to come.
Now if Subban can make it as a #4 in 2-3 years. One can dream.
TheWanderer
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WTG
December 5th
Billy Kvcmu
Registered User
If he can improve his shot a little bit, and just generally get more ice time as our #1 PP QB, I see him being an elite NHL defenceman.
BenningHurtsMySoul
Unfair Huggy Bear
thefeebster
Registered User
Hutton has always been a guy who'd rather get off a quick wrister than a slap shot, but his slap shot is still good. I don't have an issue with his shot. Its already much better than Tanev's. Also, i don't see anything wrong with his skating.
What's different so far is the amount of shots Hutton is taking. In Maine, when i watched, he would shoot without hesitation and got a lot of pucks on net.
Here are his shots on goal per season:
2014/2015: 2.95/game
2013/2014: 3.40/game
2012/2013: 2.32/game (freshman season)
NHL so far: 1.58/game
So, i think he just really needs to shoot more and be moved onto the 1st PP, with Edler moved to the 2nd. His shot accuracy has just not been the same since his mangled fingers.
What's different so far is the amount of shots Hutton is taking. In Maine, when i watched, he would shoot without hesitation and got a lot of pucks on net.
Here are his shots on goal per season:
2014/2015: 2.95/game
2013/2014: 3.40/game
2012/2013: 2.32/game (freshman season)
NHL so far: 1.58/game
So, i think he just really needs to shoot more and be moved onto the 1st PP, with Edler moved to the 2nd. His shot accuracy has just not been the same since his mangled fingers.
It's the small things he does that impresses me. Did anyone see that pass he made to himself behind Miller when someone was hunting him down tonight? He did it so casually to shake off the forechecker.
That reeks of confidence. The only Canuck defender to do something like that is Tanev. The only forwards to do this consistently in the o-zone are the Sedins.
This guy is on track to be a top 2 defender for us.
That reeks of confidence. The only Canuck defender to do something like that is Tanev. The only forwards to do this consistently in the o-zone are the Sedins.
This guy is on track to be a top 2 defender for us.
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