As the NHL season progresses past the quarter mark, the spotlight is on Montreal Canadiens’ rookie defenseman Lane Hutson, who has secured the fourth position in the Calder Trophy race according to The Athletic. While not at the top, Hutson stands out as the only defenseman among the top five rookie rankings. Leading the pack are Philadelphia Flyers’ Matvei Michkov and Calgary Flames’ Dustin Wolf, who are tied for first place. Michkov currently leads all rookies in scoring with an impressive 17 points accrued over 20 games, while Wolf boasts a solid 8-3-1 record in just 12 games, complemented by a 2.47 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. Following Hutson in third place is Logan Stankoven of the Dallas Stars, who has tallied 15 points and holds a plus-4 rating during his 20 games. Stankoven is also making waves as he leads all rookies in assists and shots on goal, having recently secured a spot on the Stars’ first power play. Hutson’s potential is highlighted by analysts who predict he could reach between 40 to 50 points this season, underscoring his capability to deliver significant contributions, especially in a team that has faced defensive challenges. Rounding out the top five is Macklin Celebrini, the first overall pick, who has managed only 10 points in 12 games due to injuries, but is expected to improve his performance now that he’s back to full health. Keep an eye on Hutson as he continues to make his mark in the Calder conversation this season.
