[ad_1]
Lane Hutson deserves to play in the NHL. At the end of camp, he doesn’t deserve to go to Laval.
Unless there’s a surprise, he won’t be going. He’ll start the season in the NHL, and come October, he’ll be dancing on the ice at the Bell Centre like he’s done all his life.
After that, the big question will be how to use him. Will the Canadiens start him off with David Savard? Is it conditional on Kaiden Guhle starting the season with Mike Matheson? We’ll see.
But one thing’s for sure: he’ll be playing on the power play. It’s his bread and butter, and it’s obviously where he’ll be most useful on the ice for Martin St-Louis’ group.
But in my opinion, we should wait before giving him Mike Matheson’s job on the first power play.
After all, last year, the Québécois was still the NHL’s ninth most productive defenseman in terms of points with 62. His 28 points with an extra man put him eighth in the league.
Unless we put Lane Hutson alongside Matheson? It’s not a crazy idea, but I can’t see Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky or Patrik Laine losing their positions in the first wave either.
Whether it’s Justin Barron, Arber Xhekaj (who has a big shot) or Logan Mailloux, having a guy on the blue line would allow Hutson to have freedoms and act as a fourth forward if he wanted to. He’d also be the star of his unit, and the game would revolve around him.
In my eyes, it’s the right thing to do to start the season. The attention would be on him – and he knows what to do with the puck.
Ya, Lane Hutson is going to be a problem pic.twitter.com/H1XmVfieMt
– The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) September 24, 2024
Of course, I must add that I’m not setting this in stone for 82 games. If Hutson’s dominant and Matheson’s a handful, Martin St-Louis will have to consider reversing them at some point.
But my point is this: give Matheson, who shouldn’t complain no matter how he’s used, the chance to defend his position. He deserves it.
It’s also worth noting that if on any given night, the power play isn’t going anywhere, Martin St-Louis will have to get to his second wave – or at least to Hutson – more quickly. Last year, the coach didn’t have that luxury.
Let’s also mention that one reason I suggest the second wave is to control the young man’s playing time, which can be an issue. He comes from the NCAA and the NHL load is big.
All this together means that my conclusion is to leave Hutson on the second wave for the time being. I’m keeping the door open to change my mind at some point in the season, of course.
And in an ideal world, Hutson would change my mind sooner rather than later. He’s capable of it, anyway.
In Overtime
– News from Kaiden Guhle.
Kaiden Guhle continues his solo fitness training this morning in Brossard. pic.twitter.com/bzQoUHDXZK
– Vincent Duquette (@VincentDuquette) September 27, 2024
– Another goal for the Flyers prospect.
Matvei Michkov today:
– 1 goal
– 2 points
– 7 shot attempts
– 58.86 5v5 xGF%Michkov just doesn’t know how to disappoint. pic.twitter.com/Dvol0pibrC
– Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) September 27, 2024
– Listen now.
Friday morning 32 Thoughts news, information and interview podcast. Today’s guest is LA Kings head coach Jim Hiller. As always, great answers to terrible questions.
Links to your preferred platform, here:
Enjoy!
– Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 27, 2024
– How will it all end?
“Kolosov’s goal is to come to Philadelphia and resolve the contract termination issue on the spot, which was impossible to do remotely,” the source said @RGSafePlay. “He is expected back in Dynamo Minsk this fall.”
via @smdemidov
– RG.org (@RGSafePlay) September 27, 2024
– Ouch.
The first baseman was on crutches after the game.
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) September 27, 2024
[ad_2]
