Lane Hutson won't start the season on top powerplay line

The Montreal Canadiens' first preseason game brought forth plenty of optimism about Lane Hutson's potential for this season. He patrolled the blue line in a way that Habs fans hadn't seen for a long time, and he began to develop chemistry with newcomer Patrik Laine. We dreamed about a powerplay this season with Hutson running the blue line and moving the puck to the flanks for shot opportunities, which fans have been clamoring for since last season.

Mike Matheson has been a valuable contributor for the Canadiens since joining the team. He reached a new career high last season by nearly doubling his previous best points total, recording 11 goals and 51 assists in 82 games. It was the best opportunity Matheson has gotten in his career to contribute, as he logged heavy minutes on the powerplay and in offensive opportunities. However, fans still dreamed about how many points he could have had if he eliminated his most substantial flaw from his game.

Matheson was a good quarterback for the powerplay, but he wasn't perfect. There were too many times when Juraj Slafkovsky or Cole Caufield were on the flanks with a shot opportunity and Matheson refused to pass them the puck. Opponents began noticing that tendency and staying on Matheson, which you'd assume would lead to more passes. The passes still didn't come, as the blueliner preferred to hold the puck or try to shoot through traffic by himself.

Call it a lack of creativity or an emphasis on keeping the game simple, but it started to get stale for fans watching every game. They'd watch Hutson at Boston University and wonder what the powerplay would look like with him running the point. When Hutson signed his pro contract, most believed it'd be an easy transition for him to take over the duties this season. Martin St. Louis doesn't see it that way, as he will keep Matheson there to begin the year.

It's likely a case of loyalty on Marty's part. He wants Matheson to lose the job before he takes it from him and gives it to a rookie. It's a respectable move from St. Louis, but one that won't go over well with Canadiens fans if Matheson looks shaky on the powerplay in the season opener. It may not be happening in Game 1, but Hutson taking over the powerplay duties is a matter of when not if.