The Sheet Blog: Hutson brothers’ NHL takeover reaches phase 2

Solid move by the Edmonton Oilers signing Quinn Hutson of the BU Terriers to a two-year deal. There were a few teams after Hutson, but the Oilers were aggressive from the start and never relented in their pursuit. Outside of Oilers GM Stan Bowman helping to make this happen was Kalle Larsson, former GM of the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints, now working in a player development role with the Oilers. Both Larsson and Bowman have ties with the Hutson family through Chicago.

As for brother Cole Hutson, a Washington Capitals prospect, it sounds like he’s leaning towards playing college hockey another season.

This family is going to dominate when they all reach the NHL. Since around the time the World Juniors ended, we’ve seen Cole and Lane play their own hockey version of “Hold my beer,” exchanging highlight reel goals and plays.

What’s next for Lamoriello and Roy on Long Island?

A few comments on some of the most recently eliminated NHL teams:

Detroit Red Wings – I know this is another lost season for the Wings, nine in a row without playoffs, but the one thing they can be certain of: looks like they’ve found their second-line center in rookie Marco Kasper. Just shy of 20 goals and looking more and more comfortable as the season has progressed, Kasper’s shown he can get it done on both sides of the puck. Also, the cap is going up and the Wings will have $22 million to work with, so this fan base will be expecting a big move.

New York Islanders – Everything here starts with Lou. Is Lamoriello returning as GM? And if not, who takes over? If the Islanders are planning on making a move, this would have to be handled delicately given Lamoriello’s place in the game. Falling upwards I believe is the term. After that, the question becomes – is Patrick Roy the right coach for what comes next?

New York Rangers – Interesting trade proposal from someone I greatly respect, to file under ‘not allowed to happen but it would give both teams what they need’: New York Rangers trade Alexis Lafreniere to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for head coach Mike Sullivan and a first-round pick. The more I think about it…

Utah Hockey Club – I do know one thing for sure – Karel Vejmelka gave this team everything he had trying to will Utah HC into the playoffs.  He was excellent. Maybe it’s time we started recognizing just how good a goalie coach Corey Schwab is after having a big hand in developing Darcy Kuemper, Adin Hill and now Vejmelka.

Can’t stop, won’t stop

Interesting conversation about where the game is heading with a coach last week who figured the game now changes every five years and you must adapt. Asked for an example, he said, ‘Stops and starts; you don’t have time for that anymore. It’s all punch turns. We don’t have a fast team, but we look fast because we don’t ever stop.’

Leader of the AHL rookie pack

Macklin Celebrini and Matvei Michkov are tied for the rookie lead in goals this season, but it’s always interesting to see how rookies are faring in the AHL, where we find Carolina Hurricanes prospect Bradly Nadeau of the Chicago Wolves leading all first-year players with 30 goals.

CHL-to-NCAA exodus is on

Calgary Flames prospect Henry Mews announced over the weekend he’s leaving the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL and committing to the University of Michigan. Not an unexpected move at all. We’ve heard Wolverines head coach Brandon Naurato openly talk about bringing in high-end CHL players, so don’t expect Mews to be the only one to make the jump to Michigan. Sounds like we should expect announcements soon.

Expect to start hearing more and more about players leaving CHL to go play college hockey. Some big names, too. And while most of us have our eyes on Michigan, Michigan State, BU and other heavyweight programs, I’m told to watch Penn State, who this season gave their program a major shot in the arm making it to the Frozen Four. The term shared with me was ‘war chest’ when it comes to luring players. Penn State dearly would love to start graduating players into the NHL. This season was a major step.

Bullish on Bulldogs’ immersive Draft coverage

Congratulations to Kaden McGregor, selected first overall by the Peterborough Petes at the OHL Draft over the weekend, and congrats to all the kids picked for that matter. One thing I did want to point out; the OHL and their 20 member clubs have all stepped up their coverage of this tentpole event, but one team raised the bar for everyone – the Brantford Bulldogs. This piece of video hit socials minutes after Bulldogs VP + COO Spencer Hyman spoke to first round pick David Buchman and blends behind-the-scenes team moments along with the Terry Doyle + the Draft broadcast, the commissioner’s announcement and a private conversation, and it all flowed smoothly.

This is the work of the teams Digital Media Coordinator Matthew Gallant.

When praised, Gallant pointed to his team, graphic designer Julia Boss, along with Quinn Horton and team photographer Brandon Taylor.

The OHL is a great place for players, coaches, officials to all take steps in their career, but let’s not forget the people behind the cameras and glare as well. Pretty easy to see Gallant will get scooped up by an NHL team eventually. He’s that good.

Enjoy him while you have him, Bulldogs.

Rink Fries

File this under ‘snowball’s chance in Hell,’ but since the PHWA make their awards ballots public, let’s have a quick show of hands who would like to see the GMs’ ballots for the Vezina and Jim Gregory GM of the Year awards made public as well?…More and more it seems likely that University of Denver coach David Carle makes the move to the pro ranks. His name seems to be in every conversation about future NHL coaches these days. It’s only a matter of time…was a shame to see San Jose Sharks defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin’s season end early. From beginning to end of the season, I thought he was one of the league’s most improved players… Expect an announcement from the PWHL on expansion shortly, perhaps after the Women’s World Championship. As we’ve talked about here, the two most likely cities are Seattle and Vancouver…with all due respect to Auston Matthews and David Pastrnak, the next player to break the Alex Ovechkin goal record is probably six years old now, right?  Or maybe not even born yet?

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