Lane Hutson approaching most points scored by a rookie defenseman in 30 seasons

Lane Hutson is two points shy of Quinn Hughes' rookie season point total (53), and the Montreal Canadiens standout still has 17 games to play.

The last time a Montreal Canadiens rookie defenseman scored so much was Chris Chelios in 1984-85. Chelios, the Habs 1981 40th overall selection, scored 9-55-64 in 74 games.

For Hutson to match Chelios production, he would need to score 13 points in his final 17 games. For a team that is making a big push for the playoffs, the top power play quarterback is going to be pretty busy. I think that 13 more points is completely plausible, and I wouldn't put it past Hutson, who is involved in everything when he is on the ice, to hit 64 points or pass it.

I think the fact that we're even discussing Hutson's name in the same conversation as rookie Chelios is impressive in itself. But the fact that he could potentially score more than that, and rewrite the Habs rookie defenseman scoring record-book is incredible. Juraj Slafkovsky looked like the Habs prize of the 2022 NHL Draft, but pick 62 keeps telling me that he wasn't the only one.

I won't discredit Slafkovsky, because I believe he will go down as one of the best power forwards in the '22 draft class. But Hutson has the potential to establish himself as the best player from this draft when he retires at the end of a successful career. There are special players, and I am a hockey fan, as much as I am a Canadiens fan, but I don't think Logan Cooley, Shane Wright or Pavel Mintyukov will be better than Hutson.

Statistically, perhaps another player will look better on paper than Hutson, but the impact of his play on the ice tells the real story. You can't measure Hutson strictly on his point production, because scoring slumps would destroy his reputation. Hutson impacts the game in so many ways. Even if he isn't creating scoring chances, he still finds a way to help his team.

Hutson is a special player in that he makes everybody around him better, and he always looks like he is having fun. The competitive side of Hutson, that developed on a rink somewhere in Illinois playing against his three brothers - Quinn, Cole and Lars - comes out every shift. It's almost like all those games of keep away paid off.

I had to throw Cole Hutson his flowers, so while the highlight of him doesn't fit this article, Lane would approve. This kid is legitimate, and I am stunned that teams didn't learn their lesson with Lane. Letting Cole drop to 43, wasn't quite as crazy as 62, but nonetheless a little wild.

The Hutson boys are cooking up something special, and Lars is still on his way, currently playing in the USHL as a 16-year-old, after making the jump from 16U in recent weeks. Back to Lane, however.

His next two points put him in a tie with Hughes (53), but he would argue that scoring points, while important, is not the number one priority for Hutson, a team-first guy.

Playoffs, not Chelios 64 points is Lane's focus

Hutson could very well end up scoring 65 or maybe even 70 points, nobody thinks it will happen until it does.

But, I am pretty confident that if you asked Lane what his primary focus is, he wont say scoring the most point by a rookie defenseman in Montreal Canadiens history since Chelios in 1984-85.

The focus in Montreal remains constant throughout the entire organization, this team has mountain top high expectations for themselves. Securing a wildcard spot would be a successful season for the Canadiens. But, at the same time it would put them right around where they were expected to be.

Hutson is going to have plenty more impact games for the Habs down the stretch, but he would have traded in his two assists on Wednesday night for a win against the Seattle Kraken. Kent Hughes kept the band together, and his top defenseman will do his best to return the favour; by helping the Habs secure a playoff berth.