The Montreal Canadiens might have a prospect throw their name in the Calder trophy race; as the NHL's top rookie.
According to Pierre McGuire Lane Hutson, the Canadiens' hopeful of winning the Calder trophy for the NHL's top rookie in 2024-25 is the player he is because of his passion. He dominated with the United States National Team Development Program and then in the NCAA, but that isn't what is most impressive. McGuire says that watching Hutson practice stands out to him because you can see the passion come out, as he is one of the hardest workers.
The games are certainly impressive and his abilities standout everytime you watch him play, he doesn't take nights off. All the things he has done in the world juniors and college then in the world hockey championships aren't just flashes. He has the confidence and talent to do it at every level, and he has gained it through all the reps and work he does during practice.
Lane Hutson has arrived!
— The Sick Podcast - The Eye Test (@sickpodnhl) September 17, 2024
Pierre McGuire and @MurphysLaw74 discuss the exciting #Canadiens rookie defenseman putting on a show at this weekend's prospect showcase
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Hutson has arrived, but he is just getting started
The prospect showcase was more than enough reason to be excited about the future for Hutson. Fans knew he was the real deal when he stepped in for two games last season, one against his childhood idol, Patrick Kane, and looked like a seasoned veteran. But seeing him come back after a good offseason and look dominant alongside fellow Habs prospects against the Toronto Maple Leafs top prospects was something to behold.
Now, with preseason just around the corner, Hutson will have more time to prove to Canadiens management that he belongs in Montreal. Of all the prospects hoping to play with the Habs this season, Hutson stands alone at the top. With that, it's only a matter of time before he puts his skills on full display every night.
With two points in two games to end the 2023-2024 season with the big club, there's a pretty good chance that he was just getting started. For Canadiens fans, it's been a waiting game, in anticipation for Hutson to arrive and start making his mark. With Hutson now here, the hopes for him to add a new element to the Canadiens blueline are a matter of when not if.
The answer seems to be preseason, and regular season after that, in time to get the Canadiens on track for a playoff spot.