Montreal Canadiens fans have been over the moon with what they’ve seen from their super rookie, Lane Hutson.
Whether they gush about the slippery defender dancing around the offensive blueline or are in awe of his ability to manipulate opponents on the power play to generate offense, Habs fans have had a great time watching the future of their blueline.
Hutson is having arguably the greatest rookie season of any Canadiens player since the turn of the century.
For a franchise as storied as Montreal, accomplishing anything historic is incredibly difficult and wildly impressive. With 41 points in 54 games, putting him on pace for 62 points on the season, Hutson is climbing Montreal’s history books.
The rookie record for scoring by a Canadien is 71, held by Mats Naslund and Kjell Dahlin from the early-mid 1980s.
The rookie record for scoring by a defenseman is 64 points, which Chris Chelios set in 1984-85.
While the overall rookie record may be a bit out of reach unless Hutson goes bananas down the back half of the season, there is a very good chance he could pass Chelios as the season winds down.
The only defenders ahead of Hutson on the Canadiens’ all-time scoring list among rookies is Chelios, Tom Kurvers (45 points in 1984-85), and Guy Lapointe (44 points in 1970-71). That is incredible company to be part of, as Chelios and Lapointe are Hockey Hall of Famers, and Kurvers had a very respectable NHL career with 421 points in 659 games and a Cup win.
Hutson may also pass Michael Ryder’s 63 points from the 2003-04 season, the top mark among all Habs rookies since 2000. Ryder set his career high in that rookie season and had a solid NHL career, winning the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011, but the right winger never became a star offensive force.
Since 2000, only eight players reached the 30-point plateau as rookies in a Canadiens sweater, and only half of them got at least 40 points. Fan favorite and 2013 Norris Trophy winner, P.K. Subban, recorded 38 points as a rookie. Subban is the only other rookie defenseman to record at least 30 points for the Canadiens in the last 40 years.
Divisive 2018 third-overall pick Jesperi Kotkaniemi hit 34 points as a rookie. Current captain Nick Suzuki had 41 points, tied with Hutson, who has plenty of runway left in the season. Chris Higgins had 38, while Charles Hudon had a surprising 30.
Cole Caufield and Ryder are the only two rookies ahead of Hutson in this quarter-century. Caufield is in Hutson’s sights, though, as Huston is only two points behind Caufield’s 43. If Hutson doesn’t catch him before the 4 Nations Face-Off break, it won’t take long afterward.
Huston’s nine-game point streak from Jan. 4 to Jan. 21 is also the longest by a Canadiens rookie since Stephan Lebeau in 1989 when he also had a nine-game streak. Three other Habs rookies had nine-game points streaks: Phil Goyette in 1957-58 and Dickie Moore and Bernie Geoffrion in 1952.
The only Canadiens rookie to have a longer points streak than nine games is Joe Malone in 1917-18, over 100 years ago in the NHL’s inaugural season. He had two 14-game point streaks in that season. But even then, everyone was a rookie in that campaign.
These numbers are impressive, but what he’s put on tape is the most impressive.
Hutson’s dynamism at the offensive end of the ice is poetic. The way he moves, draws pressure, manipulates opposing players and attempts things other players couldn’t even dream of makes him one of the NHL’s most entertaining players.
His fluidity as a playmaker and cerebral mind allow him to maneuver around the offensive zone. His highlight reel from this season rivals that of just about any defender in the NHL, except Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes, two defenders Hutson looks to emulate.
By season’s end, Hutson will likely be among the finalists for the Calder Trophy. Although he might be a bit of an underdog in the race for rookie of the year, he has a very good case for the award. He currently leads all rookies in scoring, with only Macklin Celebrini averaging more points per game. Hutson also averages more ice time than any other rookie by nearly three minutes a game.
Hutson has been asked to do as much or more than any other rookie in the NHL this season, and the Canadiens’ blueline has heavily relied on him. If Hutson were to win the Calder Trophy, he would be the first Canadiens player to do so since goaltender Ken Dryden in 1971-72.
As the Canadiens wind down their season, we will hear a lot about Hutson accomplishing a franchise feat for the first time in 20, 30 or 40 years. What we are seeing from the undersized defender is magnificent. His in-zone defending needs improvement, and he makes mistakes while trying to create, but whether you’re a fan of the Montreal Canadiens or not, you should appreciate just how special Hutson has been.
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