Lane Hutson: A Norris nomination and an appearance at the Olympic Games in 25-26 (according to Georges Laraque)

Dose
Crédit: MONTREAL, QUEBEC - APRIL 05: Lane Hutson #48 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his goal during the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Bell Centre on April 05, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Reuben Polansky-Shapiro/NHLI via Getty Images)

As the start of next season’s NHL season approaches, many fans and journalists are wondering how Lane Huston will perform in his second campaign. After an exceptional rookie season in which the young defenseman scored 66 points, including 6 goals, many are expecting him to regress. The arrival of Noah Dobson could reduce his playing time this year and offer him fewer offensive opportunities.

In fact, when asked by Stéphane Gonzalez on the Laraque et Gonzalez show, my colleague Maxime Truman and George Laraque both think that Hutson will score more points than Dobson next season, thanks in particular to the powerplay.

In fact, Laraque is thinking very big for the Hutson. The former brawler believes the young defenseman will put up at least a point per game this year. Nothing less! This performance should earn him an invitation to the U.S. Olympic Games this winter, at least as a seventh defenseman, as well as a nomination for the Norris Trophy at the end of the season. That’s quite a statement!

[content-ads] As we all know, Laraque likes to make big statements, but this is definitely a hot take. As a Canadiens fan, we can only hope that a prophecy is coming true, because if Hutson scores more than 82 points this year, it’s a sign that the team as a whole is doing well and is going to have a good season. Because to keep up such a pace of offensive production, the fullback will have to produce regularly on the powerplay and in five-on-five situations.

Personally, I think the Michigan native is going to have a point-per-game season and win the Norris, or at least be nominated for the trophy in his career, but not this year. I’m not suggesting that Hutson might experience a regression this year; in my opinion, it’s more realistic to expect similar or slightly improved production compared to last year’s 65-70 or so points.

But I’ll be happy if Laraque is right about his prediction [spacer title=’Overtime’] – To read.

– Homesickness.

– He’s moving to the Sabres.

– Heading to Buffalo.

– What a block!