Hockey Hall of Famer Serge Savard delivered high praise for Lane Hutson’s rookie performance with the Montreal Canadiens. The legendary defenseman compared the 21-year-old to one of the franchise’s greatest players.
“Time will tell, but he’s probably the most talented player the Canadiens have had since Guy Lafleur,” Savard said Tuesday, per NHL.com. “Ever since I saw him, from the very beginning, I said he was the Canadiens’ best player. I was convinced early on that he would be a big star in the National Hockey League.”
Hutson won the Calder Trophy after recording six goals and 60 assists in 82 games during the 2024-25 season.
He became the first Canadiens player to win rookie of the year honors since goaltender Ken Dryden in 1972. His 66 points tied for fourth-most ever by a rookie defenseman, trailing only Larry Murphy (76), Brian Leetch (71), and Gary Suter (68).
The young defenseman ranked tied for sixth among NHL defensemen in points last season. He also tied for second in assists and finished ninth in Norris Trophy voting.
Hutson helped Montreal snap a three-year playoff drought. He contributed five points in five postseason games.
Despite strong numbers with the U.S. National Team Development Program, Hutson fell to Montreal with the No. 62 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. His 5-foot-9, 162-pound frame likely contributed to his draft position.
“The first thing everyone said about Hutson was that he was so small he was going to get killed,” Canadiens icon and Hall of Fame defenseman Larry Robinson said, as quoted by the French-language Journal de Montreal. “It reminds me a lot of what people used to say in Wayne Gretzky’s day. They said he wasn’t big enough and that he was going to get hurt. Look at what he’s done, it’s not so bad!”
Hutson’s skating ability has been crucial to overcoming size concerns.
His top skating speed of 23.77 mph ranked in the 99th percentile of skaters last season, according to NHL Edge Stats. His edge work and agility allow him to avoid bigger opponents effectively.
“The things he can do, not many people can do that,” Savard said. “Naturally, you’re always scared when a 6-foot-4 guy comes from his blind side at 100 miles an hour, but he’s so agile and always finds a way to get out of the way. He’s not afraid to play when a game is very intense.”
Savard’s comparison carries significant weight within the organization. He, Robinson, and Lafleur were teammates for five Stanley Cup-winning teams with Montreal – first in 1973, then during the franchise’s dynasty from 1976 to 1979.
Savard won three additional championships from 1968-71, while Robinson collected another ring in 1986.
Lafleur won three Hart Trophies during his career and remains Montreal’s all-time leader in points with 1,246.
