Cole Hutson showing skill, self-criticism despite young age

While just 20, Cole Hutson wasn’t hiding from the media on Thursday night after a game that left him frustrated.

“I'm just not playing well enough,” the young Washington Capitals defenseman with just 31 NHL games under his belt said. “Simple as that. I can make some plays offensively, but it doesn't matter when you're here making mistakes defensively, constantly.

“So, gotta be a little bit better.”

The young blueliner did show off his skill in the 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, picking up an assist - his 12th point on the year and 5th in the last 5 games.

Hutson leads all rookie defensemen with his dozen points, and is second overall in rookie scoring.

But also an early penalty led to a Devils goal, and got caught up ice when Stefan Noesen delivered an insurance goal late with the Capitals down 3-2.

Hutson has been more comfortable facing the media as of late, as while it isn’t easy for a veteran to answer questions after a tough loss, for someone not even of legal drinking age in his native country is impressive.

Hutson has always been a high-risk, high-reward type of player, with the skill and ability to push the play. His first goal on a goaltender came in the very same Prudential Center with an impressive breakaway tally back on April 2, and he is adept at pushing the play.

The biggest drawback to his game is that you need someone to pair with him to cover the push, and early this season with Matt Roy out, he struggled. But the waiver claim of Jack St. Ivany from the Winnipeg Jets proved to be what the doctor ordered for him, allowing him to play his game without too much of the downside.

Capitals coach Spencer Carbery acknowledged the up-and-down nature of a young defenseman still adjusting to the speed of the NHL.

“Young players, like Cole, that's just part of learning to play in the National Hockey League, especially as a defenseman that's spent no time in the American League, so there's gonna be great nights, and there's gonna be not-so-great nights,” Carbery said. “It’s about him learning and continuing to develop, and that's when he's done a tremendous [job].”

Tuesday, Hutson notched his first career game-winning goal in the NHL in overtime in Ottawa. Two nights later, he pledged to still work on his game.

“Go over the mistakes I made,” Hutson said. “Try and get better every day, move the needle a little bit.”

Certainly, while Hutson is a work in progress, he is showing flashes of the dynamic player he can be - even showing the ability to be self-critical of his game and aware of working on his weaknesses.