written by Jonah sacks

January 21, 2026

The Canadiens currently sit third in the Atlantic Division, good for seventh overall in the NHL, and they’ve been rolling as of late. While the lineup has received strong contributions up and down the roster, the biggest driver of Montreal’s success has once again been the elite, consistent play of Lane Hutson.

Hutson made headlines again last night, reminding Team USA general manager Bill Guerin why leaving him off the Olympic roster was, at the very least, a questionable decision. The 21-year-old defenceman hasn’t just taken another step offensively this season; his all-around game has evolved.

Through 50 games, Hutson sits at an eye-popping +17 with nine goals and 43 assists for 52 points. Those are not normal numbers for a second-year defenceman, especially one this young. These are Cale Makar-level totals, the same Makar who has been the gold standard for NHL defencemen over the past several years. Is Hutson’s ceiling really that high? The answer, increasingly, looks like yes.

The offensive growth is undeniable. Hutson already has three more goals than he did last season, despite playing 32 fewer games. If his shot has improved this much over the course of one summer, the sky truly is the limit for what he can become offensively. And while there are still moments where a heavy forecheck or sustained pressure can exploit him in his own zone, those flashes are becoming less frequent.

As Hutson continues to refine his defensive game and eventually settles in with a steady, defence-first partner; those weaknesses are likely to turn into strengths. That’s simply how Hutson operates. He identifies areas to improve, commits to the work, and comes back better. His drive to be great is unmistakable.

It was announced today that Seth Jones will miss the Olympics due to injury, and Guerin elected to add Jackson Lacombe to Team USA’s blue line instead of Hutson. For Habs fans, it’s easy to feel frustrated watching their young star get passed over yet again. But there’s another way to look at it.

Instead of Olympic wear and tear, the Canadiens will have a fully rested defenceman logging 24 minutes a night, coming out of the break with something to prove and a playoff push on the line. A motivated Lane Hutson might be a terrifying thought for the rest of the league.

At this point, Hutson has been Montreal’s most important player this season and he deserves to be firmly in the Norris Trophy conversation. If he’s already this impactful at 21, it’s hard to imagine where his game ultimately tops out. One thing is clear: the Canadiens’ future on the blue line is in elite hands.