Canadiens' Lane Hutson May Have Another Gear Waiting to

There's a lot to like about watching Lane Hutson play. He's an exciting defenceman who sees opportunities that other players might miss and isn't afraid to get involved offensively. But here's something worth considering: Hutson is already putting together a productive season for the Montreal Canadiens, and there's reason to think he might have another level to reach.

Hutson picked up two assists in Saturday's 5–4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also blocked four shots and finished the night with a plus-4 rating. It was his first multi-point game since October 14, but he's been contributing regularly. Through 14 appearances, he has three goals and 10 assists for 13 points.

That's a pretty good start for a 22-year-old defenceman. He's also showing that offence isn't the only part of his game. The blocked shots and plus-8 rating suggest he's contributing in other ways, too.

Hutson's Power Play Production Is Worth Watching.

Here's where things get interesting. Hutson has collected just two of his 13 power-play points this season. Last season, he recorded 20 power-play points during the regular season.

That's quite a difference, although it's still early enough that the numbers could change considerably. It would be a mistake to assume that Hutson has lost his touch or that something is wrong. Sometimes the opportunities simply haven't turned into points yet.

Still, Montreal knows what Hutson can do with the man advantage. His ability to move the puck, find passing lanes, and create openings makes him an important offensive option. If that part of his game starts producing more regularly, the Canadiens could get an even bigger contribution from him.

Montreal May Be Getting More Than Just Offence.

What I find encouraging is that Hutson isn't relying entirely on points to prove his value. Four blocked shots in Saturday's game remind us he's involved when the Canadiens don't have the puck, too. Young offensive defencemen sometimes get judged almost entirely by what they produce on the scoresheet. That's understandable, particularly when they're as entertaining as Hutson. But becoming a dependable NHL defenceman involves more than collecting assists.

The Canadiens are already getting offence from Hutson. If his power-play production eventually matches last season's pace, that's an added bonus.

For Montreal fans, there's a pleasant possibility here: Hutson doesn't necessarily need to do more to be valuable. He may simply need a little more time for another part of his game to come around.