Lane Hutson is having an incredibly productive rookie season as a defenseman in the NHL, joining a Hall of Fame player familiar to Montreal Canadiens fans.
The 21-year-old Hutson earned an assist in Sunday`s game against the Nashville Predators, his 64th point in his debut season.
He now shares the Canadiens` record for most points in a season by a rookie defenseman with Chris Chelios. They are tied for sixth-most points by a rookie defenseman in NHL history. With five games left in Montreal`s regular season, Hutson could climb even higher in the rankings, needing just one more point to tie Ray Bourque and four to match Gary Suter for third place.
Drafted by the Canadiens in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, Hutson, originally from Holland, Michigan, had already surpassed Chelios for the most assists by a rookie defenseman in franchise history after getting two assists against the Panthers on Tuesday.
Throughout the 2024-25 season, he has recorded six goals and 58 assists in 76 games. His 64 points are the most among all NHL rookies this season, six more than Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov.
Hutson has already accumulated more points in his first NHL season than notable players like Cale Makar (50), Quinn Hughes (53), and the legendary Nicklas Lidstrom (60).
Despite this being his first year in the league, Hutson`s impact on the Canadiens is clear. With his recent assist, he now leads the team in assists and takeaways (52), and is tied for the most games played. Hutson also ranks third on the Canadiens for total points and blocks (118), and fifth for average time on ice (21:11).
His name is already in the history books, and his outstanding play might soon earn him the Calder Trophy.
