Lane Hutson: The Rookie Defenseman Shaking Up the NHL and Silencing Doubters
Move over, Connor Bedard—there’s a new rookie stealing the spotlight, and he’s doing it from the blue line. Lane Hutson, the Montreal Canadiens’ 20-year-old defenseman, isn’t just playing in the NHL; he’s dominating it. While the hockey world was busy fawning over flashy forwards, Hutson has quietly (or not so quietly) become the most electrifying rookie defenseman the league has seen in years. And let’s be honest: it’s about time someone reminded everyone that defensemen can be just as thrilling as goal-scoring phenoms.
Hutson, a second-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, is making every team that passed on him look foolish. With 26 points (2 goals, 24 assists) in just 37 games, he’s not just keeping pace with rookie forwards—he’s outshining them. He leads all rookies in assists, power-play points, and ice time, proving he’s not just a passenger on the Canadiens’ roster; he’s the engine driving their offense from the back end.
Let’s talk about December, shall you? Hutson didn’t just have a good month; he owned it. Named NHL Rookie of the Month, he racked up 13 points in 14 games, including two separate five-game point streaks. While other rookies were hitting the so-called “wall,” Hutson was busy tearing it down. His performance single-handedly propelled the Canadiens to a 9-5-0 record for the month, and if that doesn’t scream “future superstar,” what does?
And let’s address the elephant in the room: Hutson is a defenseman. Yes, a defenseman. In a league obsessed with goal-scoring forwards, Hutson is a refreshing reminder that hockey is a team sport, and defense matters. His ability to quarterback the power play, thread impossible passes, and control the game’s tempo has drawn comparisons to legends like Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes. But here’s the thing: Hutson isn’t just following in their footsteps—he’s carving out his own path.
Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis has been effusive in his praise, calling Hutson “a special talent” and “a game-changer.” But let’s be real: words don’t do justice to what Hutson is doing on the ice. He’s not just playing hockey; he’s redefining what it means to be a rookie defenseman in the modern NHL.
So, to the teams that passed on him in the draft: how’s that working out for you? To the analysts who doubted his size and skating: care to revisit those takes? And to the fans who thought this rookie race was all about Bedard, Michkov, and Celebrini: wake up. Lane Hutson is here, and he’s not just making waves—he’s creating a tsunami.
The Calder Trophy race just got a whole lot more interesting. And if Hutson keeps this up, he might just snag it from under everyone’s noses. Watch out, NHL—this kid is just getting started.