Fans of other National Hockey League (NHL) teams are tired of seeing long sequences of Lane Hutson in possession of the puck not resulting in a goal being shared with enthusiasm on social networks by the Montreal media.
On our viral post on Thursday evening, many, mostly English-speaking, reacted to Hutson’s spectacular presence against the Pittsburgh Penguins midway through the first period.
They derided his head feints, his mania for skating on the outskirts, his propensity to abandon the blue line to go on the attack and the lack of concrete results linked to his extravagant maneuvers.
“He didn’t score, but he had 10 headers, so I guess that’s worth a post.”
“Why are we celebrating this? It’s the typical Hutson video… lots of movement and no production.”
“Wow! What talent! I assume that with this level of defensive skills, CH is not the team that has allowed the most goals in a match this season!”
“Yeah, we lost 9-2, but did you see that guy skate the length of the ice and lose the puck?”
“I’ve never seen a defender so out of position and frothing for no reason.”
“Just fluff, no substance. Skating that leads to nothing.”
“Apparently skating on the ice is a highlight now, what a concession and [quel] group of pathetic supporters.”
On the sequence in question, Hutson never came close to scoring, but he joined two teammates, Christian Dvorak and Josh Anderson, in key areas of the ice. Unfortunately, as has happened too often this season, his sidekicks failed to get the job done.
It is true, nonetheless, that Hutson is one of 48 players who have played at least 20 games who have still not scored this season. His 19 assists in 29 games, however, place him first among NHL rookies.
That Hutson upsets fans of other teams is not in itself bad news for the Canadiens. Let’s say that Tom Kostopoulos didn’t have the same effect.
