06-05-2025
Canadiens' Lane Hutson a finalist for NHL's Calder Trophy
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Not surprisingly, Canadiens defenceman Lane Hutson is a finalist for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's outstanding rookie this season.
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The NHL announced Monday evening that Hutson was selected as a finalist, along with San Jose Sharks centre Macklin Celebrini and Calgary Flames goalie Dustin Wolf. The award is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
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The 5-foot-9, 162-pound Hutson set a franchise record for most points by a rookie defenceman with 6-60-66 totals while playing in all 82 games. He broke the record set by Chris Chelios in 1984-85 (9-55-64). The 21-year-old Hutson also tied the NHL record for most assists by a rookie defenceman, matching the 60 assists Larry Murphy had with the Los Angeles Kings in 1980-81. Chelios and Murphy are both in the Hall of Fame.
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Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick at last year's NHL Draft, had 25-38-63 totals to finish tied for second in rookie points behind Hutson, who was selected by the Canadiens in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov — taken with the seventh overall pick at the 2023 NHL Draft — was not among the three finalists for the Calder Trophy after posting 26-37-63 totals.
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Wolf was selected by the Flames in the seventh round (214th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. He had a 29-16-8 record this season, along with a 2.64 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.
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The last Canadien to win the Calder Trophy was goalie Ken Dryden in 1971-72. Other Canadiens to win the award include John Quilty (1940-41), Bernie Geoffrion (1951-52), Ralph Backstrom (1958-59), Bobby Rousseau (1961-62) and Jacques Laperrière (1963-64).
'You never know what to expect,' Hutson said about his rookie season when he met with the Montreal media for the last time this season last Friday in Brossard. 'I just kind of wanted to come in and help any way I can and have a lot of fun doing it.
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'It was a great experience all year,' Hutson added. 'We had the highs and the lows. I honestly couldn't ask for a better situation to step into. It was great. The group in here was amazing and just really fun to be a part of it.'
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Hutson also had praise for head coach Martin St. Louis.
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'Marty was great for me all year,' Hutson said. 'I learned so much in the sense of being a pro and understanding the long game vs. the short term and understanding what we're doing here. Having a guy like him, he's the hardest worker for us and it's easy to follow.'
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On Friday, St. Louis was named as one of three finalists for the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's top coach. The other finalists are the Capitals' Spencer Carbery and the Winnipeg Jets' Scott Arniel.
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Canadiens head coaches who have won the Jack Adams Award in the past are Scotty Bowman (1976-77) and Pat Burns (1988-89). The award was first presented in 1974 to commemorate the late Jack Adams, the longtime coach and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings.
