How long will it take for Lane Hutson to adapt to the NHL? | The Basu & Godin Notebook

[@jefffreese947]

3 questions I would have: 1) How many NHL'ers play at 160lbs? 2) Who was the last guy to be successful in the NHL at that weight? 3) How much will LH have to produce on the PP to justify having him on the roster?

[@haydenmathewson9453]

You have guys like Johnny Gaudeau who weigh less than 160 as well as Cole Caufield and Alex DeBrincat at 165. On defence Jared Spurgeon is the Captain of the Minnesota Wild at 5"9 168 and he is a stud D-Man. Not to mention the reigning Con Smythe winner Marchessault is listed at 5"9 174 lbs If this was the early 2000's or late 90's I wouldnt have even drafted him but the league is so different now.

[@jefffreese947]

@@haydenmathewson9453 Of the 6 guys you mention - only 1 is a defensemen (which was my bad for not specifying that). The only couple of other guys who came to mind are Girard in COL and Ellis from NASH/PHI (unfortunately injured). I know that LH is skilled - but literally having 3 d-men out of the 200 that play being successful at that weight is difficult. And I know that NHL is more of a speed game now - but if you look at the successful play-off teams it's a skating/size combo that they're looking for on the blueline. Either way - I'm hoping for the best for LH.

[@123hockey9]

@@jefffreese947lane Hutson rushes the puck more than most forwards so despite playing at the defensive position he is an extremely offensive player. He’s obviously not your regular 6’4 220 lockdown defenseman

[@FrancoisBert]

Not to diminish Hutson who has a formidable offensive talent, how is he going to defend against huge NHL forwards, especially in the playoffs? How is he going to win puck battles? How is he going to clear the net? Don’t ask his coach or another small guy in Cole Caulfield, ask guys who have played in the playoffs and who don’t have a vested interest in him? Honestly guys, what else are Pandolfo and Caulfield going to say?

[@alex-dj9bx]

I mean, I see him playing in person, and he is able to find the best way to make the good decision and put on the good position to avoid the big hit from the big enforcer (and he also did that to a assist for a goal by BU). Like, even that he is really small for a Dman (he is listed 5’ 10’’, but he is more like 5’ 9 1/2 ‘’ when I meet him), his balance is extremely impressive against contacts. He is a very special player.

[@spooley]

You probably ran into the John LeClair fan club in Vermont. Hutson brings his own posse.

[@robertlegault9226]

Listening to Lane, he doesn't seem to think he needs to gain weight. Is he trying to get bigger? Is his frame that small that he's reached his max weight? A personal trainer would have to take a look at him and assess the situation. We also have to take into consideration that playoff hockey is much more physical and that the team's goal is to win the Cup. I wonder how much is trade value would be?

[@powers1500]

I agree Robert...Both Harris and Struble played in the NCAA on the same team. However, Harris had a much better career than Struble at Northeastern University. Surprisingly, Struble seems to be a better NHL defenseman than Harris likely because he is a more physical player. There are 2 warts in Hutson's game, his size and lack of explosiveness in his staking. That explains why he got drafted 62th overall in a very weak 2022 draft even though all NHL scouts knew about his offensive abilities being "off the chart"...I nevertheless see him as a powerplay specialist being used as a 6th or even 7th defenseman. If you are a very small player which don't skate like a Quinn Hughes, it will be so much harder for you to play in the NHL because hockey, especially in the playoffs, is a harsh body contact game !!!

[@robertlegault9226]

@@powers1500 This is definitely a long term project. The Habs and their fans need to not fall into theur bad habit of rushing a player once he shows potential. You're right the other big knock is his lack of explosive skating. He needs to spend this summer with a power skating coach and would need to strengthen his lower and core however this brings us into the third point about Lane Hutson is that he can"t do anything That might impede his growth like doing squats. This is why he is a long term project. Better he stay at B.U. so he can continue growing and gaining weight and work on his skating. The NCAA is defensively weak and way less physical so much that Strubble would get a penalty every time he hit someone too hard. It all depends on what Lane wants to do. We can't force him to stay or he'll want to sign with another club. 21 years old is when men get wider let's cross our fingers. A bigger faster Lane could lift the Habs to a new level GHG

[@powers1500]

@@robertlegault9226 Indeed, lets cross our fingers 👍

[@maximecourchesnedeslaurier8027]

I wish what his doctor said about his height is true... if not there is no way he cant play in the NHL at 5"10 150lbs as a defensement in the NHL.