Maxime Talbot played just over 700 games (704) in the NHL. An eighth-round pick by the Penguins in 2002, he spent six years in Pittsburgh, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2009, scoring two goals in Game 7 of the Finals against the Detroit Red Wings. After the Penguins, the combative center wore the colors of the Philadelphia Flyers, the Colorado Avalanche and the Boston Bruins. He continued his career for three more seasons in the KHL in Yaroslavl and Omsk. The former captain of the Hull/Gatineau Olympics in the QMJHL hung up his skates at the end of the 2018-2019 season. Since then, he has held an analysis position on RDS. He also acted as an assistant to Joël Bouchard during the 2021-2022 season with the San Diego Gulls in the American League (AHL). He agreed to collaborate with the NHL.com team to cover various topics affecting league activities.
By nature, I generally remain calm when watching a young player on the ice. I always like to keep a little perspective. But we have a right to be excited when it comes to Lane Hutson. I find myself in the same boat as many supporters. Hutson has a unique talent.
While playing for the Boston University Terriers, Hutson was often compared to Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes and Adam Fox, three other NCAA alumni. Hutson had numbers that compared to them at the same age.
There is often a world of difference between the NCAA and the NHL. In his rookie season, Hutson found a way to keep the same identity in the best league in the world. He is already one of the best defensemen in the NHL.
In CH’s long holiday trip, Hutson played a game against the Avalanche and Makar. Monday night, he found himself on the ice against the Canucks and Hughes. In my eyes, Makar is still one step ahead of everyone, he is at the top of the NHL defensemen. I have no problem comparing Hutson with Hughes. He controls the puck in a remarkable way.
Like the Hughes family, there is rare talent within the Hutson family. Cole Hutson had a remarkable World Junior Championship with the United States. The Hutson brothers have crazy confidence. Cole scored a huge goal in the gold medal game against Finland. He may have a bit more of an arrogant side than Lane, but he also has a knack for dictating the game.
I also like the “gamer” side of Lane. Against the Canucks, he played against one of his role models in Hughes. He wanted to give even more on a big stage. There are young people who would be nervous about playing against an inspiration. But the word nervousness is not in Lane Hutson’s vocabulary. He has taken on all the challenges since the start of the year. After a few weeks, there were questions about whether he could survive an NHL schedule. This fatigue is still not visible. On the contrary, it is even better.
There are games where Hutson will get caught. On JT Miller’s first goal for the Canucks, he found himself on the wrong side of the puck. But you have to live with small mistakes. And in the balance of good and bad plays, Hutson offers many more good plays. Cole Caufield also received a bad penalty in the third period against Tyler Myers. He didn’t like the body checking behind the net and he wanted revenge. It’s part of hockey. Good players find ways to redeem themselves.
It must be recognized. In his first full year with CH, Lane Hutson changed the offensive face of the team. And I say hats off to Martin St-Louis and Mike Matheson. St-Louis gives him big responsibilities and Matheson has put his pride aside for the good of the team by now accepting his role in the second wave on the power play. At five on five, Hutson and Matheson also form a very good duo.
