Lane Hutson's become one of hockey's best defensive prospects at Boston Univ.

Elite Prospects Dir. of North American Scouting Mitch Brown takes you into the Film Room ™️ to look at the progress of Montréal Canadiens second-round pick Lane Hutson in his freshman season at Boston University.
You can read more about Hutson by following this link to read more about Lane Hutson on EP Rinkside: eprinkside.com/2022/12/20/fil...
You can follow this link to his Elite Prospects player page: www.eliteprospects.com/player...

[@bigfish3428]

probably the most fun guy I've seen play, it's never boring with him

[@jakereacher7958]

with 27 point in 22 games, the last guy with similar stats in college was Brian Leetch in 1986 lol when goalies were still standing up.

[@Jean_Maurice]

Stats is not everything. The thing he lacks is acceleration and of course size.

[@Jean_Maurice]

Oh, and you can’t compare eras.

[@hawksnation1885]

@@Jean_Maurice he def does not lack acceleration

[@habitant71]

@@hawksnation1885 he'll get stronger as he matures, and he had grown 2 inches since the draft, he's officially listed at 5ft10, 161lbs

[@habitant71]

29 in 23 now

[@osjkane7874]

I just watched him play live in BU’s Beanpot Semi Final game. Even though BU lost, Hutson stole the show. His shiftiness and puck control are outstanding for the NCAA level. Even my friend who’s not a hockey fan was blown away by his skill. I’m really excited to see what kind of player Hutson becomes in the next few years

[@guyfuller1369]

Another skill guy for Arber Xhekaj to protect. Can’t wait.

[@larrywatts2517]

Montreal is the very place for a guy like Hudson, the sky is the limit!!!

[@joncafe]

Crazy if we add michkov too 😳

[@J87169]

@@joncafeor reinbacher 😮

[@dtptcn]

⁠Reinbacher gets rave reviews everywhere. For instance, SportsNet a few days ago listed him #7 on their prospects list (Michkov was #4, IIRC, based on talent uniquely, with no mention of the unstable context in Russia). Hearing some Habs fan, you'd think he was a mid to late 1st round pick, far away from Michkov. It was a great pick.

[@nc8507]

I've been supporting the Canadiens for nearly 20 years, and I've never been so excited for a prospect before. He looks like he will be an absolute stud.

[@adrianoelblanco9586]

Elite prospects got him at 5”10 now. He actually grew XD

[@MikeTrixPlays]

I wanna see the measuring tape lol But kidding aside, imagine he makes it to 5'11? That's Cale Makar's height, just sayin!!

[@ildarm]

a bit of HGH before they start getting tested wont hurt

[@slipperynodd578]

@@MikeTrixPlays I mean his brother grew from 5’8 to 5’11 at the same age Hutson is, so it’s definitely possible.

[@MikeTrixPlays]

@@ildarm lmao is that why they shut down Caufield's season? His "injury" was just to cover up all the HGH sessions 🤣

[@MikeTrixPlays]

@@slipperynodd578 Yup, I never said it was impossible, just very rare for an 18 year old to grow that much, especially in such a short time frame! Glad to see his doctor was right!!

[@bwest2010]

Had him at 16th overall on my draft list. We will see but imho he projects to be pp1 qb in the NHL. There is something novel happening with his skill set. NHL teams are so good now at getting blocks in shooting lanes it is very difficult to generate scoring chances. The solution to the high block guy is the fake and deke but that is almost never used because of risk. If it is used and successful the entire defensive structure breaks down. I have been waiting for a player to come along with the skill set to do this as a matter of routine. Hutson is that kind of player. If cut loose, he could revolutionize the game. Dating myself, and I am not making unfair comparisons, but the last guy I remember who could and did do this was named Orr. Montreal management must very excited. He will be fun to watch.

[@Team955]

What a great comment. I appreciate your analyse. Cheers bud

[@guav2716]

Wow nice analysis! Do you think makar has these abilities as well?

[@TSJ99]

What do you think of Cale Makar?

[@sevtas8422]

​​@@TSJ99 Cale Makar at this point is already arguably the best defender in the NHL that's pretty known he's extremely dynamic and can create plays he has some similarities w Hutson but the difference lies in Hutson using dekes and fake outs a bit more. Which is not good or bad it all depends if he does it successfully. He is also smaller so there's that to consider as well. Hopefully he will be a star in the league for the Habs but we'll see. If he could be the Habs Makar it would be beautiful.

[@slipperynodd578]

“Oh my God, a guy who had better numbers than Adam Fox, Quinn and Luke Hughes at the same age? But yeah he’s short so we shouldn’t draft him. Do we care that his doctor said he’d probably grow to 5’11? No, we don’t draft small players with top 3 OA numbers.” -Every GM for some stupid reason.

[@slipperynodd578]

HUTSONS FIRST NHL GAME NIGHT!!!!! GO HABS GO

[@jjgab1672]

I really like the bit about NHL style plays. Very true. Has to improve by leagues defensively.

[@stockey]

I don't know, but his skating looks pretty explosive to me.

[@AlexO-sx6ff]

I think Lane Hutson watched your video because on his third assist yesterday he did the same pass like at 6:19 and it led to a goal for BU. He's evolving and making more NHL caliber plays.

[@eco3thoughts286]

Please let him play at least a second year in the NCAA. He needs to go through the second year difficulties like Cole Caufield to become a better player. Coaching staff and players will adapt to his game. Let see how he manages it.

[@pietrobelfanti7154]

he will stay there for sure, like quinn hughes and makar did

[@thomasf.7940]

I have faith in management to let him bloom at a more relaxed pace, no win-now mentality of the Bergevin era and Caufield is an amazing exemple of progress thru a more traditional path to the NHL.

[@slipperynodd578]

It has been confirmed that next year he will be staying to continue his education and develop.

[@thomasf.7940]

@@slipperynodd578 great news.

[@valitsemllaluokanavahyvaks3556]

He would get killed in the NHL if they threw him in now xdd.

[@maximusrusso8758]

He’s up to 5’10 on elite prospects so we can stop worrying about his size so much

[@B.H.Taylor]

Excellent analysis

[@fnhunna]

in the first clip its me above the cox logo on the glass LOL awesome

[@fosterch11]

fantastic analysis

[@madeinedmundston]

i dream of Hutson-Wifi pair

[@laurencelafrance5235]

Fun to watch at this level. Will it translate to the NHL game?

[@Francheskozoni]

Hutson and Hughes are NCAA’s best freshmen defensemen

[@toto11132]

Cant wait to see him with the habs my goodness

[@MayorRobFord2]

those feed to Caufield will be insane 💯

[@toto11132]

Him with Caufield on the power play ouch hooff its going to hurt for the opposite team

[@MikeTrixPlays]

But are the rumors true?? Did he really grow a full two inches in the short time since we drafted him?? Growing that much at his age is actually quite rare!

[@habitant71]

Apparently he's not done growing, and it's not uncommon to grow in your 19th year, you're just not growing several inches. If he has an inch or two left, he's going to be ridiculously dangerous. Once he gets some strength in him, I say he makes his NHL debut at 21, and he's going to be a tough one to stop, and a beauty to watch

[@JoeBoozer]

it is not rare at all? what are u talking about.

[@MikeTrixPlays]

@@JoeBoozer Not sure if you're just trolling or genuinely confused? Name me the last Habs (or even NHL) prospect who grew 2-3 inches after being drafted... I'll wait

[@prodICYN]

@@MikeTrixPlays He said himself that he had a slow growth, I mean I had the same thing, a bit earlier but similar, I grew from about 5'7 at 16 to 6'1 at 17 and now 6'3 at 20

[@pugzi101]

@@MikeTrixPlays Erik karlsson.

[@andrewwills8516]

He reminds me of great players,Bobby Orr,Denis Savard, Gretzky it'll be awesome to see the NHL version GO HABS GO 💕💕💕💕💕

[@tallesttreeintheforest]

maybe... whatever happens, getting that high ceiling at 62 overall, pretty good.

[@laurent29093]

Brayden Point was around that range too,

[@ximer21]

To me i see a prime karlson (the defenseman), the way he shifts, deceives and opens the ice for other players. The only downside i see so far from him is his size, but i really think he's skilled enough to overcome that. I think montreal got a steal of a pick in the second round and if he continues to progress the way he has been, the sky is the limit. Can't wait to see him transition to the pro game. Fun and exciting player to watch. With the young talented core in montreal I really do think they will be a force in the league in the coming years. Only time will tell.

[@Onderwish]

he is 5"10 so same size as quinn hughes just needs to bulk up and know how to play defensively against bigger players!

[@richardblais7445]

ont va l aimer , un vrai quarterback.l avenir est prometteur

[@fulstaak]

Love it, but a few trickshots like this at the blue line can be very dangerous in the NHL. I see a lot of PK Suban in these moves (not the slap shot obviously). Let's see where that goes. Also, why a D? He looks like a top L/R.

[@sevtas8422]

Yeah as long as he works on that I think he will be better than subban.

[@theseanie9958]

He doesn't skate well enough to be a scoring winger

[@ZombieJeezus420]

i dont see him being able to stop a big power forward but i could be wrong.

[@jesseh17]

Insane talent...hope he hits a growth spurt, yet. '5''9, 148lbs. Oh my.

[@philthevibe7229]

Update: 9 in 22

[@ohBAZZ]

Matt Grzelcyk 2.0, defensive liability but makes up for it most of the time with his offensive upside

[@timmytimmy803]

Needs to pass more, he only wants the puck on his stick, I find it frustrating playing with players her hold on to the puck for so long and then make a nice play but they didn’t pass leading up to that for like 30-45 seconds.

[@timlind3129]

1:40 is is actually a horrible play, O pokes the puck away and it's a break away and that type of move/play will be fatal at higher levels. Love watching him and looking forward to seeing more of him!

[@benjaminmckay6983]

It's a calculated risk, not a horrible play. There's a difference. If the forward pokes the puck away he still has a chance to recover because he's skating laterally across the ice, and can conserve his momentum when turning for the recovery. If he were skating straight at the forward it's a different story because he would have to stop and start, giving him zero hope of a recovery. Small details like this is a large part of what makes him so effective offensively, while still mitigating risk and turnovers.

[@marcroy5089]

Its a risky play, but that's the kind of play that makes Lane Hutson Lane Hutson

[@david-jamessmith7992]

Thought the exact same thing. His elusiveness is great, he’ll just have to play a little more pro like when he gets here

[@MbisonBalrog]

He also disappeared in 2023 Frozen Four.

[@peterwarner5306]

Birch River MB says hi, Cuz

[@marcroy5089]

I don't understand why he seems to be rellucntant pivoting in D but not in O zone

[@kajaksb]

I was already hype, now I'm overhype

[@dominichawker2702]

Will be interesting to see how he can adapt, he needs to get up to probably 180-185lbs at least and still improve his skating as he gains a fair bit of mass. Supposedly he's 160lbs now, which means he needs to gain 20lbs at least in my opinion. Makar was 180lbs when he was drafted and Fox was 185lbs, whereas Hutson was 160lbs. Skating is key in the NHL and only getting more and more important, seems like he has the brains/creativity for a good offensive dman but speed and agility will define if he can keep his very active puckhandling role, or be forced to get the puck off his stick quicker.

[@fil12x]

Spurgeon is 165lbs

[@valitsemllaluokanavahyvaks3556]

@@fil12x Spurgeon is 4cm shorter.

[@codfishjoe5313]

@@valitsemllaluokanavahyvaks3556 HOLY SHIT A WHOLE 4 CM

[@justfred6863]

The only thing that worries me is his transition to the NHL, seems like a gamble. But if it works, OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUH WEEEEE Baby sweet jesus.

[@MbisonBalrog]

Was he in 2023 WJC? Why he not stop Canada and Bedard?

[@ekeats2425]

With at least 2 more years till NHL will only get better and be a able to add some weight improve on the skating

[@matthewcolitti8456]

and now hes 5'10

[@Goldmember66]

The league awaits him.

[@owendaboss3858]

This seems like a Vancouver canucks type player

[@franklininterviewsvancouve8605]

Gorton/Hughes

[@TheKaves2]

Yes he needs to eat potatoes and work on skating speed. How is the power of his shot? I’m curious.

[@fil12x]

It’s suprisingly "good", but nothing to write home about, he wont be a point shooter anyway. Good thing is he already beaten Fox, Makar, Hughes (both, freshman goal marks, in half the games.

[@emerix4792]

He's a 3rd rounder

[@Pierrekira]

Bouillon on steroids? :D thanks for sharing

[@videopyc]

NCAA has no body check and no constant physical hits… all you say is not related to NHL play level… only NCAA. if Hutson played in Canada in a Junior Major league then your evaluation would be more interesting.

[@spencer2365]

Martin St Louis played in the NCAA and he was to small for the next level. Not sure if he mentioned that in his Hall of Fame speech.

[@theseanie9958]

If he had better skating, id say he should try wing since he doesnt defend

[@Vonwra]

I know this is high praise, but Bobby Orr used to play games like that with the puck. If he kicks getting stronger physically - who knows what is his limit.

[@valitsemllaluokanavahyvaks3556]

Hes only 161lbs atm. He needs to grow 20lbs atleast before hes physically strong enough to even step on NHL ice as a legitimate defenseman.

[@jakecarroll5]

That's easy af and will happen. Every player has to do this basically. Even big players take time to adjust. You're putting too much concentration on his size.

[@reasonablerage4370]

​@@jakecarroll5 Thats not easy

[@idontgivea1769]

There’s a little Makar in that kid

[@habitant71]

A lot, once he tightens his game a bit, improves his decisions, adds some strength and mass, and if he grows one more inch and comes in at 5ft11, you have yourself a Makar clone. It's not as far off as some think. I bet by the next development camp he comes in at 5ft11 in July.

[@dominichawker2702]

"It's not as far off as some think"... While I get the hype around his offense, his shooting and skating are not near Makar's level. Makar is by far the best and most dynamic defenseman, I'm not saying Hutson can't become a top 2 dman with very very good offensive ability, but this is his D2 year and his skating is still what holds him back, I highly doubt he can develop into a "Makar clone", nobody can.

[@habitant71]

@@dominichawker2702 what are you talking about, this is his D1 year, he was drafted this year. Wake up

[@habitant71]

@@dominichawker2702 he's 161lbs, he's no where near the playing weight that he'll play at in the NHL. D1 year, draft plus 1 year, not draft plus 2 year. Also, he was drafted at 5ft8, he's grown 2 inches since the draft in June. Strength comes with time. Experience is what builds the player. Makar was good, but he got better as he grew. Also, Hudtson has already blown up Makar's first year, D1 stats, first year college hockey stats. Hudson is on his way to beating Makar's second year stats. Makar played 2 years of university after he was drafted. Btw, Hudson is half Canadian, his dad was born in Manitoba

[@habitant71]

@@dominichawker2702 learn the game, learn the player before you comment. I can tell you have a love in with Makar, he's a great player, but his first year of college, once again, I'll educate you, D1, just like Hutson, D1, he had 5g 16a for 21pts in 34 games. How many does Hutson have in how many games?? 9g 18a for 27pts in 22 games. First year college, same comparison, almost the same size at that time.

[@Jacob-rq5zb]

It’s just he would be 5”11 he would of been top 15 this past year but his listed 5”6 160 pound frame can be very concerning especially when he’s prob smaller then that

[@stockey]

He's now officially 5'10" 162 pounds.

[@user-xg6sx5ev9u]

He’s 5ft10

[@laurent29093]

u mean top 5, even 1

[@slipperynodd578]

Bro his draft year production is better then Quinn Hughes and he went 7th overall

[@patricklafleche9559]

that is all good but who score goals no one i n a few years. the truth is that the habs are not the only one who rebuilds

[@leonardread13]

Hutson again LOL.

[@Jean_Maurice]

Lack of acceleration and of course weight. He don’t have the skating skills of Quinn Hughes.

[@pahulgill6114]

or the playmaking of Quinn Hughes, there is a night and day difference. Hutson looks slow, and tries too many skill plays. While Quinn is fast, agile and makes safe NHL plays

[@danmc7815]

He needs to beef up, I think, to succeed in the NHL. He has skills, but how he needs to chase hard "even relaxed attackers" shows he us not really fast. Lacking size and speed is not a ticket for a long NHL career.

[@ekeats2425]

With a couple years till NHL that’ll come along the way

[@RahRan123]

Looks like a poor mans Cale Makar.

[@jakereacher7958]

funny you said that his stats at 18 year old obliterates Makar stats when he was 18 in the NCAA. Makar at 18, 21 point in 34 games and Hutson 27 point in 22 games and counting.

[@laurent29093]

well he would be better than 18 year old Makar lol

[@thebrutalgroove]

Lol no poor man can afford the pay check coming his way

[@valitsemllaluokanavahyvaks3556]

@@jakereacher7958 Who cares about Junior stats. Its better to peak later than too early.

[@stockey]

Makar looks like a poor mans Hutson lol.

[@unrulyevil]

Please explain to me where is this hype coming from? All I see is a kid who is supposed to play D and does not. This is how PeeWee hockey is played . Looptyloops on top of more loops and some toe dragging on top of toe dragging. Where there should have been a pass he just goes to the net. Sorry just don’t see what the hype is all about. Come watch PeeWee hockey, you will see this day in and out.

[@TheMaestro116]

"tHiS iS h0w pEeWe3 h0cKeY iS pLaYeD." shut up

[@theseanie9958]

He's gonna get killed in the pro game. Shocking his coach allows this

[@luc0007]

Another tiny hab

[@elvisisalive2716]

Total smurf like Mete, will get clobbered and beaten on that small Montreal team, god help that kid. He would thrive on a proper team that has some size, Montreal will be the death of his career, just like all the injured smurfs they have now. Sad to see how bad management is in Habland, far cry from the late 80's and early 90's when they had big teams sprinkled with skill.

[@thatbillionairesvibe]

Bro what? Montreal is packed with size. Kirby dach, slaf, wifi

[@elvisisalive2716]

@@thatbillionairesvibe you pointed out 3 guys, Slaf is still unproven as to what he is. Their main core is up front, and I'm including Cole and Nick. Its not just the size, the team is soft. Slaf doesn't play the body at all, he's knocked down all over the ice. Top prospects are also not big physical players like Mesar, Beck... Roy.. Kidney... soft as butter.

[@XxRage4xX]

@@elvisisalive2716 slaf, dach, Edmundson, wifi, guhle, Anderson, savard....

[@elvisisalive2716]

@@XxRage4xX Edmundson and Savard are no longer gritty , especially Edmundson. Anderson hasn't dropped the mitts in a year lol

[@codfishjoe5313]

@@elvisisalive2716 he’s already the same size as Jared spurgeon and he still has time to put on some weight