Hutson is a wizard with the puck on his stick. While it’s clear that he won’t dominate games with his size and reach, his hockey IQ and exceptional puck skills make him one of the most intriguing prospects on defense outside of the NHL. Despite his limited size, he uses his stick effectively on defense and reads plays well in the neutral zone, allowing him to break up potential counterattacks. Once the play transitions, he quickly recognizes the best option for a breakout. He can deliver the puck on his teammates’ blades in stride, make a simple play to ensure the puck exits the zone, or carry it up the ice himself. He employs body fakes and crossovers adeptly to outmaneuver opposing players on zone entries and at the blue line. As a smaller player, he struggles the most in one-on-one battles, occasionally finding himself on the wrong side of opponents and unable to recover due to his lack of physicality. In that regard, I believe another season of college hockey is the right decision for him at this point, and I expect him to join the Canadiens for the 2024-25 season. Given his intelligence, skill, and above-average skating, it wouldn’t surprise me if he earns a spot in the NHL lineup right from the start. Canadiens fans should be excited about what the future holds.