Serge Savard: Hutson 'probably most talented' Habs player since Lafleur
Lane Hutson's historically great rookie season has earned him high praise from Montreal Canadiens legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Serge Savard.
"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 became the first Canadiens player since goaltender Ken Dryden in 1972 to win the Calder Trophy after recording six goals and 60 assists in 82 games in 2024-25. His 66 points are tied for the fourth-most ever by a rookie defenseman, trailing only Larry Murphy (76), Brian Leetch (71), and Gary Suter (68).
The 21-year-old also ranked tied for sixth among NHL defenseman in points and tied for second in assists last season. Hutson finished ninth in Norris Trophy voting.
He helped the Canadiens snap a three-year playoff drought and notched five points in five postseason games.
Hutson also put up robust numbers during his time with the U.S. National Team Development Program, but he fell to the Canadiens with the No. 62 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft in part because of his 5-foot-9, 162-pound frame.
"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 elite skating and notably exceptional edge work have been key to him overcoming his size. His top skating speed of 23.77 mph ranked in the 99th percentile of skaters last season, per NHL Edge Stats.
"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, Robinson, and Lafleur were teammates for five Stanley Cup-winning teams with the Canadiens, first in 1973 and then during the franchise's run from 1976 to 1979. Savard also won two more from 1968-69, while Robinson collected another ring in 1986. Lafleur won three Hart Trophies during his career and is Montreal's all-time leader in points (1,246).