After a strong first year in the NHL, Lane Hutson has been recognized as being one of the top rookies in the league. The Montreal Canadiens defenceman joins San Jose Sharks 2024 first-overall selection Macklin Celebrini and Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf as this year’s top three in Calder Trophy voting.
Drafted 62nd overall in 2022, Hutson spent two seasons with Boston University before playing the final two NHL games last year. In his first full campaign in the world’s top league, he registered 66 points, 60 of them being assists to tie him with Larry Murphy for the all-time mark among rookie defencemen. Those 66 points also led all rookies this season.
Hutson winning the scoring race as a blue-liner and on a team that fought for and earned a playoff berth would have both been factors in his favour among the Professional Hockey Writers Association members who participate in the voting. We will find out when the winner is announced if those factors put Hutson over the top.
The Canadiens have had several nominees for the Calder in the past several decades, including Brendan Gallagher (2013), Michael Ryder (2004), and Chris Chelios (1985) who finished as the runner-up. Hutson has a great chance of being the Habs’ first winner of the rookie of the year award since Ken Dryden claimed it 53 years ago.
