Former Canadiens Player Would Like To Be There When Hutson Beats His Record
Chris Chelios - Photo credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn ImagesChris Chelios didn’t even know he still held the scoring record for a rookie defenseman with the Montreal Canadiens until someone brought it up to him this season as Lane Hutson kept piling up the points.
In an interview with Jeremy Filosa on 98.5, the former blueliner said he was impressed by the youngster, especially since today’s game is not made for defensemen, given all the rule changes that aim to increase scoring. However, he added the game's skills orientation has favoured smaller players.
Reminiscing about his rookie season, Chelios explained that he knew he was chasing Larry Murphy’s record of 76 points back then, but he started thinking about it too much and just stopped getting points. So far, that doesn’t seem to be an issue for Hutson, who’s been racking up the points at an increased rate of late, aside from being held off the scoresheet on Thursday night.
Chelios spoke about Hutson’s elite skating and called him very skilled and fun to watch. He seems genuinely happy for the youngster and for the Canadiens being in the wild card spot. The NHL coverage isn’t great in Chicago, so he cannot watch the Habs that much, but he’s keeping an eye on the Habs and their push for the playoffs.
Speaking about Team USA, Chelios explained he’s glad the Americans now have depth and options for the upcoming Olympics. He added that there will be more Olympics roster spots than the Four Nations Face-Off.
These days, the former defenseman works as an ambassador for the Chicago Blackhawks alongside Denis Savard, the player he was traded to Chicago for back in 1990. The pair attend most Blackhawks games these days, and he enjoys being with the team even though he doesn’t have a hockey operations role.
At the end of the interview, he added that if the Canadiens want to fly him around like the league does with Wayne Gretzky as the watch for Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin breaking his goal-scoring record goes on, he would like to be there when Hutson beats his record.
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