Let’s look at the list of players who haven’t scored often this season, for the Canadian.
Among the attackers, the names of Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovsky, who have only one goal each since the start of the campaign, quickly come to mind. Here are two that should score more often.
Will it come? We might think so.
But two names that come to mind first are Lane Hutson and Mike Matheson. Both guys, who are the offensive engines of the club, have yet to find the back of the net.
The two defensemen have 10 assists each (including six on the power play for Matheson and four for the rookie) this season in 16 games, but no goals on their record.
Should we be concerned that both players haven’t been able to find the back of the net yet? After 16 games this season, or around 20% of the campaign, it is possible to ask questions, yes.
Since it’s not because they’re bad that guys don’t score, we can say that it’s not the end of the world. After all, they still manage to generate offense.
But still: they must be eager to score.
Lane Hutson, who has never scored in the Bettman circuit, may be told that he is among the most productive rookies in NHL history in terms of assists in his first 18 games in the NHL, but he’s probably eager to score goals.
What this tells me is that the defender, as we see, needs to improve the quality of his shot. We already knew this, but we have more evidence on this subject in light of what we have seen over the past month.
We suspect that he will never have the garnotte of Shea Weber, but still: he must be better.
The good news? Hutson is playing well on the ice, he is developing and he has the confidence of his coaches. He is the third best scorer in his draft class (2022) since the start of the season, behind Slaf and Logan Cooley… who have only one point each more than him. #11
Just that.
Lane is on the right path, then. But even if CH wants to develop, the NHL remains a league of results and Hutson will have to, one day or another, end up finding the back of the net in the short term.
And if he unlocks, watch out for the Calder.
In burst
– Paul Maurice in interview.
– Nick Suzuki must always be the one who works the hardest on the ice, in order to set an example.
– Hall of Fame: to induct a person in office or not? [BPM Sports]
– What do you say?
