Lane Hutson. This name is more and more in conversations, even among the NHL players.
The Montreal Canadian defender, drafted 62nd in 2022, is now seen as a player superior to Matvei Michkov, selected seventh in total in 2023 by the Philadelphia flyers.
Nothing less. Worse it’s not just journalists who say that. Nikita Zadorov, a respected veteran of the League, recently said that Hutson is already ahead of several young talents, Michkov included.
“Lane Hutson is simply exceptional. What he accomplishes at such a young age, particularly in his position, is incredible. It proves that no matter where you are drafted, your work and your talent determine your future. »» said Zadorov.
It must be believed that the late choice of Kent Hughes in 2022 still has repercussions.
Hutson, in defensive, offers something that Michkov, in attack, simply cannot match: a complete impact on the game.
When you are the quarter of the first digital advantage of your team, it’s worth gold. And when this role is occupied by a 19 -year -old defender in Montreal, one of the most demanding cities of the NHL, it’s not just impressive, it’s unique.
The role of an offensive defender in the NHL, particularly in digital advantage, is not limited to distributing passes or to draw balls from the blue line.
Hutson controls the tempo of the game. He anticipates, he creates, he manages the pressure. It is not just a player who “follows the wave”, he is the one who creates it.
Compared to Michkov, a pure winger, Hutson has a much more central role. In a tight match, it is often the defender who can tip the scales by creating openings where there is none.
Worse we’re going to say: Hutson is changing the perception of defenders with a small size. At 5 feet 10 and 161 pounds, he proves that you don’t have to be a colossus to dominate.
His vision of the game and his ability to adapt quickly compensate largely for what some could see as “physical weaknesses”. This guy is a pure hockey player. Point.
For his part, Michkov is a raw, but limited talent. Be careful, we are not saying that Michkov is a bad player.
Far from it. But between being talented and having a lasting impact in the NHL, there is a world.
Yes, Michkov was compared to guys like Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane for his offensive flair, but his role remains limited. It’s a finisher, a marker.
Basically, he depends a lot on his teammates to make his talent shine. Hutson can change the course of a just match with his presence on the ice.
Worse, we must not forget either that Michkov evolves in a wading team. The philadelphia flyers are far from competitive, which does not help its development.
But hey, even taking this into account, it is difficult to see how Michkov could catch up with Hutson in terms of global impact on a team.
Caesar must be returned what belongs to Caesar: Kent Hughes has seen right with Hutson.
When Montreal selected it in the second round, many thought it was a risky bet. Today, this bet reports huge dividends.
-This is the kind of choice that could redefine the Canadian’s defense for the next 10 years.
And the most ironic in all of this is that this same vision could now alleviate criticism surrounding another controversial choice: that of David Reinbacher in fifth row in 2023, while Michkov was still available.
If Hutson is an overview of what Canadian management can accomplish by identifying underestimated talents, we can understand why they bet on Reinbacher.
Nikita Zadorov has not mince his words recently. When he spoke of Hutson, his praise was unequivocal:
“Lane Hutson is a phenomenon. It doesn’t matter where it was drafted, its impact is undeniable. He plays like a veteran, and it’s rare to see such a young defender with such control of the game. ”
These comments come to strengthen the idea that Hutson is not just a good player for his age, but that he is already in a separate category. For a guy who was selected in 62nd, it’s a whole feat.
And it’s not nothing when these words come from a veteran like Zadorov, a guy who played against the best.
But beware …
You still have to qualify. Michkov remains an extremely young player, and his future is far from being written.
Worse we know, the NHL is a league where the routes are never linear. Who would have thought, two years ago, that Hutson would become a cornerstone for the Canadian?
Maybe in two years Michkov will take off and become a constant offensive threat.
At the same time, we cannot ignore that Hutson’s position plays in his favor. Being a defender who can dictate the pace of a match is much rarer than being an elite marker.
And for the moment, Hutson shows that he is able to have this impact, evening after evening.
Hutson and Michkov will always be compared, and that’s good. It adds spice to the NHL, and it gives ammunition to inflamed debates between supporters.
But today, if we had to choose between the two, Hutson has the advantage. His versatility, his intelligence hockey and his immediate impact place him a notch above.
Time will tell us if this hierarchy will change, but for the moment, Montreal Canadians savor their find, while the flyers hope that Michkov will one day be able to equal his potential.
One thing is certain: these two players will not fail to be talked about in the years to come.
AMEN
