The Montreal Canadiens are quite happy with Lane Hutson, and very grateful that he fell to them at 62nd overall in 2022.
Lane's younger brother is nearly the same size as him, and watching Cole handle the puck and on rushes looks familiar. Cole, a second-round selection of the Washington Capitals in the 2024 NHL Draft, followed in his brothers' footsteps, attending Boston University for his collegiate career. Right now, Cole is embarking on his first World Junior Championships.
While Lane and the Canadiens are facing the Florida Panthers in Florida on Saturday, he took his brother's tournament debut in before his flight. It was some kind of luck or simply a Hutson thing, but Cole scored five points in the American's 10-4 thumping of the Germans. Pretty good debut for the kid, and I think many fans were unaware of how good (Cole) Hutson is.
He is the real deal, and I think he might even be a little bit further ahead of where Lane was at the same age. I think having Lane to lean on and watch was tremendously impactful in a positive way for the BU product. I'm not sure what his future looks like, but if all goes well, the Capitals will have a very good offensive defenseman on their blueline in the future.
Cole Hutson told us this morning that his brother, Lane, attended last night's @usahockey victory against Germany here at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa ... when his younger brother had 5 assists. Lane then flew to Florida to join his Canadiens' teammates - MTL at FLA on Sat.
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) December 27, 2024
It was a weaker German squad, but they weren't any less competitive. What Hutson did, in his first game of tournament play, takes a special player, with plenty of poise and playing ability. Lane paved the way, but I think Cole will carve out his own career, and be an exciting player to watch for many years to come.
Hutson will have an opportunity to follow up his brilliant start to the tournament, with a Saturday matchup against the Latvian's. The American's best not underestimate the Latvian's, who just upset Team Canada, with a 3-2 shootout loss. Latvia goaltender Linards Feldbergs was phenomenal in the contest, posting a 53-save effort to hold off Canada for the upset.
Nonetheless, while USA will have their hands full, if Hutson is feeling it, it could be a long night for them. He is explosive, and always scanning, waiting an anticipating ways to outsmart his opponent's. Hutson has high hockey knowledge, and makes it look easy just like his brother.
Canadiens-Panthers
(Lane) Hutson and the Canadiens troops will battle the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers on Saturday afternoon. Canadien's recent call-up Jakub Dobes will make his NHL debut, with the Canadiens facing a back-to-back. Samuel Montembeault will take the back half against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday.
Lets see what Hutson has in store, to try and one-up his younger brother's five-point game in the World Juniors. The Panthers are a tough opponent, so Montreal will need all hands on deck, if they hope to beat them. With Patrik Laine healthy, he and Hutson should do some damage.