The defenceman leads all rookies in ice time by way of the primary month of the 2024-25 common season.
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Arber Xhekaj can’t assist however marvel at any time when Montreal Canadiens teammate Lane Hutson hops over the boards for a shift.
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“He has been dancing on the ice,” Xhekaj stated on Saturday. “It’s fairly cool to see, fairly spectacular. He hasn’t missed a beat.”
There hasn’t been a lot pleasure for Xhekaj and the remainder of the Canadiens within the early going within the 2024-25 common season. If, for any purpose, you had Montreal making the playoffs subsequent spring, you would possibly wish to step off that.
Earlier than the Canadiens and Maple Leafs met on Saturday night time at Scotiabank Area, Montreal was sitting in final place within the Japanese Convention with 10 factors.
Hutson, nevertheless, supplies a pleasant dose of hope for the Canadiens’ future. A second-round choose by Montreal in 2022, the little defenceman — he’s 5-foot-9, 162 kilos — has been enjoying huge minutes on the blue line.
By 14 video games, the 20-year-old Hutson was logging a median of 23 minutes 10 seconds a recreation. No different Nationwide Hockey League freshman had performed greater than 20 minutes a recreation.
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Hutson obtained into two video games with the Canadiens final April after two glorious seasons at Boston College, averaging greater than a degree a recreation in each 2022-23 and 2023-24.
A local of Holland, Mich., Hutson had seven assists earlier than Saturday night time.
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Hutson likes his adjustment to enjoying within the NHL, although he is aware of the challenges will proceed.
“The time and area, it closes off fairly fast,” Hutson stated. “There are actually good gamers on the opposite workforce, so it’s laborious to do all of the stuff you wish to do. Typically you need to hold it easy, one thing I’m nonetheless studying.
“It’s going good, I feel. I nonetheless have a lot to be taught. I wish to construct a constant recreation that’s repeatable. I’m excited to maintain going.”
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Hutson didn’t play in additional than 39 regular-season video games in both of his two years at Boston U. The grind of the NHL season usually wears down any former NCAA participant in his rookie 12 months.
Hutson welcomes the heavier schedule.
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“It’s simply extra hockey, so no complaints from me,” Hutson stated. “It’s enjoyable and also you don’t wish to burn out, however you additionally wish to put your greatest foot ahead each night time.”
Given the Atlantic Division rivalry between the Leafs and Canadiens, and with the expectation that Montreal finally will probably be a superb workforce once more, the Leafs know they’re going to should get accustomed to enjoying towards Hutson and making an attempt to maintain him in verify.
“Dynamic skater, head’s up on a regular basis,” Leafs coach Craig Berube stated. “He actually sees the ice properly and he has nice ft and agility. Most likely examine him to (Canucks captain Quinn) Hughes in Vancouver to some level. He’s a harmful participant.”
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