Lane Hutson Named Calder Trophy Finalist, A Historic Achievement for Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens celebrated a significant milestone on Monday, as they announced that 21-year-old defenseman Lane Hutson had been named a finalist for the prestigious Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s Rookie of the Year. This marks the first time in more than a decade that a Canadiens player has reached this stage, and should Hutson win, he would become the team’s first Calder Trophy recipient since legendary goalie Ken Dryden in 1972.

Hutson’s debut season in the NHL has been nothing short of remarkable. After making two appearances for the Canadiens the previous year, he solidified his place in Montreal’s lineup for his first full campaign, and his performance has left a lasting impression on the league. Hutson led all first-year players with 66 points, 60 assists, and 26 power-play points, while also averaging 22:44 in ice time per game. His offensive contributions and steady presence on the back end were vital to Montreal’s defensive core.

In setting a new franchise record for the most points by a rookie defenseman, Hutson surpassed Chris Chelios’ previous benchmark of 64 points set during the 1984-85 season. Additionally, Hutson tied Larry Murphy’s league record for most assists by a rookie defenseman and joined Phil Housley in a tie for fourth in all-time points by a first-year NHL blueliner.

Despite being drafted 62nd overall in 2022, Hutson’s impact was immediate. He became the first rookie defenseman to lead all NHL rookies in points since Quinn Hughes in 2019-20. His stellar play also earned him Rookie of the Month honors twice this season—in December and March—making him the first defenseman to win the award multiple times in a season since Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom in 1991-92.

Hutson now faces stiff competition from two other Calder Trophy finalists: Macklin Celebrini, who posted 63 points as an 18-year-old for the San Jose Sharks, and Calgary Flames goalie Dustin Wolf, who went 29-16-8 with a .910 save percentage.

The winner of the Calder Trophy will be announced at the NHL Awards in June, but Hutson’s remarkable season has already cemented his place among the league’s top young stars. Whether or not he captures the prestigious award, Hutson’s future in Montreal looks incredibly bright.