Rookie of the Year: Lane Hutson wins the Calder Trophy

When the Montreal Canadiens began their 2024-2025 season, everyone wondered just how much of an impact Lane Hutson would be able to have in his rookie season. There was little doubt about his ability to produce offensively but as an undersized defenseman joining an already very young defensive squad on Montreal’s blueline, many questioned his ability to defend effectively at the NHL level. Despite the hype surrounding Hutson, who had dominated in every aspect of the game in the NCAA, Habs fans, who were burned before by overhyping prospects, tried to remain calm and give the young man enough time to properly develop.

Well caution be damned as Hutson was confirmed as the 2024-2025 winner of the Calder Trophy for NHL rookie of the year. Hutson edged out Calagary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf and San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, winning the vote in a landslide with 165 first place votes out of 191. The last Montreal Canadiens players to have won the award was goaltender Ken Dryden in 1972.

After playing a full season of 82 games, playing an average of 22:44 minutes per game, taking over the first powerplay unit of the team, setting a team record for points (66) and tying a league record for most assists (60) among rookies in a single season, it’s fair to say Hutson didn’t take much time to justify the hype surrounding his arrival. His play didn’t just make him the best rookie to play in the NHL this season, it already confirmed his place as one of the best defenseman in the NHL.

Hutson not just an offensive machine

Despite producing points amongst the elite of the NHL, finishing 6th in points in the entire league tied with an obscur defenseman playing in Tampa bay called Victor Hedman, what I believe to be most interesting about Lane Hutson’s season is how his game evolved and improved as time passed and the games got more meaningful.

Under the wise counseling of Montreal’s coaching staff, we saw Hutson go from trying to do too much in every situation transitioning to a more stable, less risky style of play where he would pick his moments to let his world class talent shine. Even as the season went on and you saw other rookies hit the very common “wall” when the games get thougher after the christmas break, Hutson actually raised the level of his game and was an essential component for the Canadiens in making the playoffs. He’s also showed his doubters his ability to defend in his own unique way and not get pushed around despite almost always being at a disadvantage in size.

And for those of you who still doubt the young man, here’s one last piece of information about his record setting rookie performance. He managed to do all this despite not getting first powerplay minutes until late novembre and he played on the right side despite being a left handed defenseman. Knowing that, it will be a treat to see just how much more he can grow moving forward.

Back to back Calder for the Habs?

The Canadiens will once again have a very strong candidate to win the Calder Trophy next season. Ivan Demidov, the former 5th overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft, was recently named rookie of the year in the KHL and finished the season in Montreal, participating in two regular season games and in their playoffs series against the Washington Capitals. Demidov has already conquered the hearts of the Habs faithful, showing glimpses of his incredibly skillset. After a full summer of training in North America and participating in the Habs training camp, it wouldn’t be farfetched to think the Canadiens could be the first team to have back-to-back Calder Trophy winner since Bobby Orr and Derek Sanderson in 1967-1968.

How do you feel about Hutson winning the Calder Trophy? Are you surprised it wasn’t closer in the voting? Do you see anyone else challenging Demidov next season? Don’t hesitate to let me know in our forums!

Thank you all for reading and have a nice day!

Hugo Brossoit