Cole Hutson is already drawing some early Calder Trophy buzz, and one of the prospects backing him is Philadelphia Flyers newcomer Porter Martone.
At the NHLPA Rookie Showcase in Chicago on Wednesday, The Hockey News' Frank Zawrasky asked Martone, Hutson and Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall to make their Calder picks. Martone went with Hutson, even while acknowledging that first overall pick Gavin McKenna brings plenty of promise.
"You saw what Cole did last year going up," Martone said.
That nod makes sense after Hutson’s quick arrival in Washington last season. He signed his entry-level contract after his sophomore year at Boston University and joined the Capitals late in the regular season. In 14 NHL games, he put up three goals and seven assists for 10 points.
Hutson said at the end of last season, "I've learned a lot... it was an unbelievable experience for me," adding, "I learned so much so fast about the game and how hard it really is to play at this level consistently. So, it's just a head start for next year, and hopefully, I'm ready to kind of stay in the league."
Now he’s spent the summer working on getting bigger and stronger, with expectations that he’ll take on a larger role for Washington in his first full rookie season. That could mean top-4 minutes, along with continued work quarterbacking the power play and helping a Capitals man advantage that’s looking for more spark under new coach Ray Bennett.
Martone has some perspective on the transition, too. After his time at Michigan State, he posted 10 points in 14 games with the Flyers, and he wasn’t the only one at the showcase to point toward Hutson as a Calder contender.