This season, the Norris Trophy race is once again led by Cale Makar, but Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes isn’t that far behind. He’s just four points behind Makar’s 11, despite the Canucks’ struggles with consistency. Hughes and Makar are two. one of the best defensemen in the league when it comes to generating offense from the blue line. But there is another player who is coming up.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, who has 9 points, is only two points behind Makar, ranking second among defensemen. The young Calder Trophy winner impressed at the start of the season. His skating, puck control and decision-making have improved since last year, when he scored 66 points. Hughes and Makar talked about his strong start.
Quinn Hughes said Hutson, who recently signed an 8-year, $70.8 million contract, reminds him of himself.
“I think he’s really a lot like me,” Hughes said. “I think for him, he’s just going to have to continue to get better in his progression. It’s not always going to be smooth sailing. He obviously had a really good season, but it’s not going to be smooth sailing for the next 15 years of his career.”
Hughes also mentioned that Hutson could one day become a leader in Montreal. Currently, they have Nick Suzuki as captain, but in the future, with the right development, there is a chance.
“He’s just going to continue to learn, not only about hockey but about himself, what kind of person he wants to be,” Hughes said. “I’m sure he’ll take on a leadership role at some point. He’ll continue to develop all aspects of himself. One thing I’ve noticed about him is he has a lot of passion, so he’ll continue to improve, which is exciting for Montreal.”
Cale Makar has three goals and eight assists in ten games this season. Hutson has one goal and eight assists in ten games, helping Montreal lead the Atlantic Division with a 7-3-0 record. His passing and movement supported the Canadians’ fast-paced attack.
Cale Makar also praised Hutson’s performance, saying:
“It’s pretty incredible. Any player that comes in in his first year and is able to produce and find ways to help the team, I think that’s a pretty incredible feat. He’s only going to continue to get better. I think there’s another side to his game that people haven’t seen yet…”
Cale Makar is “excited to see” Late Hutson evolve
Speaking about Lane Hutson’s early career and time spent developing, Cale Makar said he can’t wait to see Hutson explore his potential.
“He seems like an incredible player. I can’t wait to see how he develops into an even better offensive and defensive player.” » said Makar.
While Cale Makar remains one of the main contenders for the Norris Trophy, Hutson is quickly closing the gap. His confidence and smart play are key assets as he continues to learn and adapt to the pace of the NHL. If he stays consistent, he could soon win his first Norris at just 22 years old. Its growth gives Montreal another reason to be optimistic.
Edited by Ankit Kumar
