At the dawn of the showdown against the Senators at the Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa, interest among the Montreal Canadiens is turning to a player who will not even wear a uniform in the matchup between the two rivals.
Now that the signing of defender hopeful Len Hutson has been announced on Friday, it remains to be seen when he will pull on a CH uniform for the first time. Hutson will join his teammates in Detroit on Sunday, where Martin St-Louis' men will play their penultimate duel of the season, before returning to the Bell Center on Tuesday to conclude the 2023-24 campaign against the same Red Wings team.
The head coach seems indifferent to the enthusiasm Hutson brings to the Hab. St. Louis did not comment on the No. 48's participation Monday in Detroit.
“We will welcome him like all the other young people. […] “We would have liked him to be able to participate in full training, but we don't have that luxury,” admits St. Louis.
On Sunday, Canadians will have a day off in the Motor City. They will face the Wings two nights in a row next. Hutson will skate during Monday's morning skate.
“He has proven so far at all levels that he has what it takes to have an impact on the game,” St. Louis admitted. It will be to see if he will be able to continue to do it at this level. »
One of the defender's many qualities is his intelligence on the ice. In 77 games with Boston University, the five-foot-10-inch American scored 97 points.
“Intelligence is one of the most important assets for a player in the National League. Hutson is good at analyzing the game and we (Canadiens) focus a lot on that aspect of the game,” noted Jordan Harris. “He will be the best in this aspect.”
The latter moved to the Canadiens at the end of the 2021-22 season, following his stint with Northeastern University. In 10 matches with the Blue and White, he scored one goal. If there's one player who can give Hutson advice, it's him.
“When you come to the NHL, it's exciting. I'll tell him what a lot of people told me when I arrived; he said, 'Try to have as much fun as you can. Everyone on the team will be happy if he plays by Tuesday. We will welcome him with open arms. »
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