Lane Hutson skates the puck out of danger in a match against the Toronto Maple Leafs. (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)As the Montreal Canadiens are entering the season's final stretch, it seems highly unlikely that they'll manage to get their invite to the Spring dance. Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson however is highly likely to get his to the awards night (if there is one this season) as he's as involved as can be in the Calder Trophy race.
The Montreal blueliner is neck and neck with San Jose Sharks' Macklin Celebrini and Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf. While forwards have historically had the edge when it comes to be being crowned rookie of the year, there have been quite a few defensemen and netminders winners since 1933.
In fact, 16 goaltenders have won the big prize while 12 defensemen skated away with the title. There are a lot of impressive names on that list of winners. The masked men who were crowned were Mike Karakas (21-29-8, 1.85 goals-against average), Frank Brimsek (33-9-1, 1.56 GAA), Frank McCool (24-22-5, 3.22 GAA), Jack Gelineau (22-30-15, 3.28 GAA), Terry Sawchuk (44-13-13, 1.97 GAA), Gump Worsley (13-29-8, 3.02), Glenn Hall (13-24-16, 2.10 GAA and .925 save percentage), Roger Crozier (40-22-7, 2,42 GAA and .913 SP), Tony Esposito ( 38-17-8, 2.17 GAA, .932), Ken Dryden (39-8-15, 2.24 GAA. 930 SP), Tom Barasso (26-12-3, 2.85 GAA, .893), Ed Belfour (43-19-7, 2.47 GAA, .910 SP), Martin Brodeur (27-11-8, 2.40 GAA, .915 SP), Evgeni Nabokov (32-21-7, 2.19 GAA, .915 SP), Andrew Raycroft (29-18-9, 2.05 GAA, .926 SP), and Steve Mason (33-20-7, 2.29 GAA, .916 SP).
The average GAA of the 16 winners was 2.38 and their average save percentage (since the stat was created, 10 winners) was .917. Right now, in 33 games played, Wolf has a 2.63 GAA , a .912 SP and is 19-11-3. His numbers are quite near the statistical average of past winners.
As for the 12 defensemen who have claimed the trophy, they were mainly offensive defensemen, which is hardly surprising: Kent Douglas ( 7 goals - 15 assists- 22 points), Jacques Laperriere (2 G - 28 A- 30 P), Bobby Orr (13 G- 28 A - 41 P), Denis Potvin (17 G- 37 A - 54 P), Ray Bourque (17 G- 48 A - 65 P), Gary Suter (18 G - 50 A - 68 P), Brian Leetch (23 G - 48 A - 71 P), Bryan Berard (8 G - 40 A - 48 P), Barret Jackman (3 G- 16 A- 19 P), Tyler Myers (11 G - 37 A - 48 P), Aaron Ekblad (12 G- 27 A - 39 P), Cale Makar (12 G- 38 A- 50 P) and Moritz Seider (7 G- 43 A - 50 P).
That's a 50-point average and as things stand, the Canadiens rookie has 3 goals, 38 assists for 41 points in 56 games. That's a 60-point production pace if he keeps producing as he has in the first 56 games and it projects to 4 goals and 56 assists. It would be shocking for a 21-year-old rearguard to put up 60 points and not grab the Calder trophy, even if the competition includes a generational talent. That would be 10 points more than the last two winning blueliners.
There's no denying that his offensive game is stronger than his defensive game, but I don't believe this should be what prevents him from getting the votes. After all, he currently has a minus-20 rating, but so does Celebrini and Matvei Michkov is minus-15. The plus/minus rating is hardly the most telling stat and those who are quick to criticize his defensive game may just be putting to much stake in that number.
Hutson is playing on a struggling team that has surrendered the third most goals in the league with 192 and he's spending over 22:30 minutes on the ice per game on average. That's over 2:40 more than Celebrini who is getting more than his fair share of ice time up front in San Jose.
Whoever ends up claiming the trophy will be a worthy winner and this promises to be a fun race to watch until the end of the season.