Is the Canadiens’ Lane Hutson the Hardest Working NHL Player?

If you thought sophomore slumps were inevitable for NHL rookies, you clearly haven’t been watching Lane Hutson. The Montreal Canadiens’ young defence phenom didn’t just survive his second year — he’s thriving, and doing it in a way that makes you stop and wonder how any player avoids the trap so many stumble into.

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The Numbers Alone Don’t Define Lane Hutson

A quick glance at the numbers doesn’t tell the whole story: 42 points in 42 games. Pretty solid, right? But numbers alone don’t capture the mindset that separates Hutson from a hundred other promising first-year players. The sophomore slump is as much psychological as it is physical. Most players hit year two thinking they’ve “arrived,” taking shortcuts or underestimating the grind. Hutson? He takes nothing for granted.

“During the Christmas holidays, he jumps on outdoor ice with kids, not for show, not for applause — but because he doesn’t want to miss more than a single day. Every time he’s on the ice, he’s working on something. Every single time,” says Eric Engels of the FAN Hockey Show.

Hutson’s Relentless Focus Puts Him a Notch Above Other Players

It’s that relentless focus that makes Hutson’s sophomore season feel like business as usual. Montreal’s development staff, led by Adam Nicholas, has built an environment where players like Hutson can push themselves without hitting a ceiling. The fingerprints of veterans and coaches alike are all over his growth, but the real separator is Hutson’s drive. “A lot of kids come in, they have rookie successes, and they stumble the next year,” Engels says. “Not because they aren’t working hard — it’s because they aren’t working smart enough. Lane? That hasn’t been an issue. He’s improved so much from year one to two, it’s astounding.”

Hutson isn’t just showing off along the offensive blue line anymore. He’s become a real two-way player, aware defensively, scrappy off the puck, and always hustling to get it back. Caufield clearly notices it too — when Hutson’s on the ice, the puck tends to stick with him. And if it doesn’t, he’s on it, chasing it down like it owes him money. That part of the ice? He owns it.

Why Has Hutson Avoided the Sophomore Slump?

That’s the kind of mentality that doesn’t just avoid a sophomore slump — it makes you indispensable. It’s a Wayne Gretzky-level awareness of ownership and responsibility. Young players, coaches, and fans alike would do well to watch Hutson closely. Because in Montreal, Lane isn’t just skating around defenders and picking corners. He’s defining what it means to be relentless, smart, and hungry — even after you’ve already made history in your first season.

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