How one draft pick put the Montreal Canadiens’ rebuild into hyperdrive

When the Montreal Canadiens won the NHL lottery draft in 2022, the franchise was hoping that the selection would be the jolt the team needed to kick-start their rebuild. The Canadiens already had Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield as pieces of their core for the future, and were looking to add a franchise player in the draft. The Habs selected Juraj Slafkovský with the first overall pick, and while he has a ton of potential, he is not the draft selection that accelerated the team's rebuild; that pick came one round later.

With the Canadiens' fourth selection in the 2022 NHL draft, they selected defenceman Lane Hutson 62nd overall. The thing is, everyone knew Hutson was talented, but the same concerns that caused Caufield to slide in his draft year resurfaced with the offensively gifted defenceman. Hutson's stature and frame were big question marks, and some believed he would struggle to adjust to the NHL. Well, after his rookie season, it is safe to say that the doubters were proven wrong.

Hutson did not just prove that he could play in the NHL, but showed that he has the potential to be a star defenceman for the next decade. He won the Calder Trophy in a record-breaking rookie season, which saw him tie the NHL record for assists by a rookie defenceman with 60 and set the Canadiens franchise record for a rookie in assists and points (66). The franchise was searching for a puck-moving defenceman since they traded away P.K. Subban in 2016, and very well could have the best offensive defenceman in the NHL if Hutson continues to progress. His stellar play helped the Canadiens reach the postseason at least a year ahead of schedule.

Hutson's emergence has put the Canadiens' rebuild into hyperdrive. Their bold offseason moves show they now believe they are ready to take the next step and become Stanley Cup contenders. The Habs brought in New York Islanders top-pairing defenceman Noah Dobson and St. Louis Blues young winger Zach Bolduc through trades this offseason, moves that probably would not have happened if Hutson had not been so good last season. Hutson has helped the team's progression more than anyone could have ever expected, giving a franchise that has not won a Stanley Cup since 1993, the most hope to end that drought in years.

That is not to say that the Canadiens should expect a Stanley Cup victory next season, but it was a massive step in the right direction. The Canadiens have one of the best young defensive cores in the NHL, with Hutson leading the way. The Canadiens' expectations have undergone significant changes over the past year. Going from playoff hopefuls to now, if they do not win at least one round in the playoffs, it will be a massive disappointment.

Hutson is obviously not the only reason for the team's progression, as Suzuki and Caufield were instrumental to the team's success last season. However, without Hutson's breakout last season, it would be hard to imagine the team being in the same position they are right now. The future is bright in Montreal, and for the first time in a long time, there is real belief that the Canadiens could win their first Stanley Cup in over 30 years.