Montreal Canadiens’ Lane Hutson to make NHL debut tonight vs. Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadiens highly touted prospect Lane Hutson is expected to make his National Hockey League debut tonight against the Detroit Red Wings.
Hutson was practicing this morning on the second defensive pairing with veteran defenseman David Savard.
The Canadiens recently agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract with Hutson that has an average annual value (AAV) of $950,000.
IT'S HAPPENING 🚨
Lane Hutson will make his NHL debut tonight for the @CanadiensMTL in Detroit.
Welcome to the League!
📺: 7p ET on @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ pic.twitter.com/kz9r1bJvpn
The 20-year-old registered 15 goals and 34 assists for 49 points in 38 games during the 2023-24 campaign with the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA. Hutson ranked tied for first leaguewide among NCAA defenders with University of Denver defenseman Zeev Buium. Hutson was named a Hobey Baker Nominee and to the NCAA Hockey East First All-Star Team.
Last season’s 48-point run with Boston University was one of the best seasons by a U-19 defenseman in NCAA history, breaking a 35-year-old scoring record set by Brian Leetch. Hutson won the NCAA Hockey East Rookie of the Year Award, NCAA Hockey East Tournament MVP, NCAA New England MVP and was a Hobey Baker Finalist.
Internationally, Hutson has represented Team USA on three occasions once at the Under-18 Men’s Championships and twice at the World Juniors. During the 2024 World Juniors, Hutson led the Americans to a gold medal victory and recorded six assists, the most among defensemen in the tournament.
The Canadiens currently have a 30-36-14 record and among 2024 draft lottery odds rank fifth with a .462 points percentage and an 8.5% chance of winning the draft lottery for Macklin Celebrini. Following tonight’s game against the Red Wings, Montreal will play Detroit again on Tuesday in back-to-back games.