The 2024 rookie showcase started off a bit lukewarm for the Montreal Canadiens, dropping a 4-3 shootout decision to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre. But the point of these games isn’t really to get wins, and rather to give the teams a chance to evaluate some of their young prospects ahead of their respective main camps. Both teams got some excellent data out of their first game, as we saw some legitimate NHL hopefuls turn in some strong performances on Saturday afternoon.
Of particular noteworthiness for Montreal was the performance of Lane Hutson, who looked a cut above just about everyone on the ice.
At times, the level of play almost seemed below his talent level, as he delighted the Bell Centre fans with his puck skills. Those fans would surely have loved to see the team get a win, but they were nonetheless treated to some very exciting hockey with Hutson on the ice. Management should be looking at his exploits as better than a win, because he’ll be riding high into their main camp this month, looking to state his claim to a roster spot.
Hutson’s detractors will always have their talking points – he’s too small, his skating needs work – but these things have been said about him at every level. Still, he did his thing at every level. A roster spot in Montreal is far from a guarantee for him this season, but to write him off as a lock for Laval’s opening night roster would be foolish. He looks poised to make the decision to cut him an extremely difficult one for Martin St-Louis and co.
He is perhaps the most hyped prospect in Montreal not named Ivan Demidov. Hutson doesn’t have to crack the Habs roster this year, but if you believe he doesn’t have a shot at doing that, you haven’t been paying attention.
Click the play button below to listen to your full Bottom Six Minutes, also available wherever you get your podcasts. We should be back with another episode tomorrow afternoon following the second rookie showcase game.
