The Montreal Canadiens versus the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Habs home opener, what better way to start the season, right?
Add Lane Hutson into the mix, who was one of the most intriguing players throughout the Canadiens' entire training camp. After playing just a couple of games, he was a near-lock for the team. His confidence and skill were too high to send him down to the American Hockey League with the Laval Rocket.
Surely Hutson would show glimpses of what he can do, and to say he did that would be an understatement. Hutson was all over the ice, giving the Leafs forwards fits and during one instance he made a move that left John Tavares looking lost. My co-expert Nate Duffet likened Hutson's energy to someone who chugged 10 cups of coffee, and that is hard to argue.
No way Lane Hutson is ever doing this at the NHL level. pic.twitter.com/DcIHL4WjqC
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) October 9, 2024
Tavares is a defensive minded guy and veteran of 1110 games, so for him to get juked by a rookie tells you lots about the player. I can't imagine there's a general manager throughout the 31 other NHL teams that is pleased they passed on Hutson. I won't say he is on Quinn Hughes level, that wouldn't be fair to either of them, but he certainly has a unique style that very few others can mirror.
David Savard believes Hutson is going to be special
I think that the Canadiens are aware of what they have in Hutson, but nobody is more familiar with his game and style than his defence partner, veteran David Savard. Savard sees Hutson on the ice each day and can't help but marvel at the skill he brings to the ice. He knows or believes that Hutson is going to be a pillar for the club's offence going forward.
Savard has the capabilities to play a stout defensive game and cover for his rookie defence partner, but he leaves the spins and head fakes to Hutson. Savard mentioned that he isn't inspired by what Hutson does, because he simply couldn't do the same. He joked that those days are behind him, while he wasn't on Hutson's level, he certainly provided plenty for his teams' success throughout his career.
Le vétéran est heureux de pouvoir contribuer à la naissance d'un joueur spécial 🙌 https://t.co/etcXI8NZ1n
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) October 10, 2024
It's music to the Habs' brass ears, hearing how the players feel about him because it's one thing to watch him and be excited. But NHL players who work as hard each day and compliment him are what should hold weight. Savard has played a long time and seen many different players, so to throw flowers his way, speaks volumes to his potential.