Quinn Hutson has put himself in the mix for an Edmonton Oilers opening night job.
The winger kept his scoring touch rolling in the rookie preseason game against the Calgary Flames, finishing on the power play after a breakout AHL season with the Bakersfield Condors. Hutson scored 30 goals in 67 appearances last year, adding 33 assists for 63 points. That production was good for eighth in AHL goal scoring and ninth in the league scoring race overall.
He also got his first NHL goal right before Christmas during a call-up to the big club.
Using NHL equivalency models, Hutson’s AHL numbers translate to roughly 37 points at the NHL level. That said, the Oilers are almost certainly going to ask him to do it with less ice time than he saw in Bakersfield, where he was skating on the Condors’ first line. The AHL does not track shift lengths or average time on ice, but the step up in role is obvious.
Even in his limited NHL look last season, there were signs of growth. Over four games, Hutson saw his ice time climb, and his best offensive showing came in the final one, when he scored that first NHL goal. The Oilers also won the last two of those appearances, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks.
Now he’s in the spotlight again because Matthew Savoie is out injured, opening a path for Hutson to push for a roster spot during training camp until Savoie is ready to return.
The next step is about more than just finishing chances. Hutson will need to show head coach Mike Babcock a quicker first step, better top-end skating speed, and a little more shot power. Those areas were below NHL average last season, though the sample is still small and Hutson remains very much a developing prospect.
If he earns a place on the opening night lineup, the assignment may be straightforward at first: keep goals against down and chip in a little offense. Holding that spot longer will require more than that. He’ll have to prove he can tilt the ice in Edmonton’s favor even in limited minutes.
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