When Lane Hutson first faced the media after being picked in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, he was dwarfed by his Canadiens sweater, looking every bit like a kid in his dad's gear. It's a sight that might have influenced some NHL general managers to pass on him, allowing the Canadiens to snag him with the 62nd pick.
Hutson himself joked, "Hopefully I can fill the jersey out a little bit more," after his selection.
Fast forward to today, and Hutson has not only filled out that jersey but also the stat sheet. After clinching the Calder Trophy last season as the league's top rookie with an impressive 6-60-66 stat line across all 82 games, he's stepped up his game even further this year.
Now standing at 5-foot-9 and weighing in at 162 pounds, Hutson continues to defy expectations. He added another assist in the Canadiens' 3-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, bringing his season totals to 11 goals and 54 assists in just 63 games.
This performance set a new NHL benchmark for most assists by a defenseman in his first 150 games, surpassing Hall of Famer Sergei Zubov with 116 assists. And with the game against the Leafs being just his 147th, Hutson has a few more opportunities to extend that record before hitting the 150-game mark.
As the Canadiens prepare to face the Senators in Ottawa, followed by home games against the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks, Hutson's playmaking prowess will undoubtedly be a focal point. His journey from draft day to record-breaking defenseman is a testament to his skill and determination, proving that size isn't everything in the NHL.