Yesterday, we learned that Lane Hutson won the NHL rookie of the month award for December.
As it’s the best league in the world and there are players like Matvei Michkov and Macklin Celebrini in the Bettman circuit, it’s not an honor to take lightly.
It confirms the eye test: the guy is good.
But he is not the only young Canadian player/prospect to have been rewarded as a rookie in one of the best leagues in the world. After all, so was Ivan Demidov.
The KHL, the second-best league in the world, awarded Demidov its December Rookie of the Year honors on the sidelines of his six points, including four goals, in just seven games.
We don’t know how long he will have significant playing time, but he is still playing his age 18 season in the KHL. Seeing him garner such honors is no small thing.
And that’s encouraging for Flannel fans.
After all, we will say it more clearly: the Canadian has the best December recruits from the two best leagues in the world, the NHL and the KHL, in Hutson and Demidov.
Imagine when these guys will play together on the CH power play next October…
Even if the Canadian only has one prospect (and no top prospect) at the World Junior Championship, there are still quality young people in the organization. It’s just that they are not eligible for the holiday tournament, either due to their age or nationality.
The Demidov case is striking in this regard.
And even if Emil Heineman is not exactly the next Demidov and does not have the talent of Hutson, we must still remember that he is one of the good rookies in the NHL this season.
All is not dark, therefore.
In burst
– To be monitored.
– For CMJ fans.
– Obviously.
– He is disciplined.
Canada
