After Hutson’s NCAA season with Boston University concludes, where he has 12-27-39 totals in 30 games, general manager Kent Hughes has already stated he would like to sign the player. Given that participating in games this season would exhaust Hutson’s NHL entry-level contract’s first year, it is likely that playing will be a factor in the negotiations. The Canadiens did the same thing with Sean Farrell, who joined last season after leaving Harvard, and Jordan Harris, who signed two seasons ago after leaving Northeastern University.
It will also help management determine whether Hutson is ready to play in the NHL or whether he needs to spend at least one season in the AHL with the Laval Rocket by having him play a few games with the Canadiens this season.
Selected just one player is a terrific question, and a very difficult one to answer.
On the rink, Brendan Gallagher has always inspired me with his extraordinary work ethic and willingness to give up his body. That physical toll on his body has a cost that he is currently bearing.
Aside from the rink, I’ve always admired Gallagher for his handling of the press; as a columnist, it definitely helps that he’s willing to spend a little more time answering questions one-on-one following scrums. He is aware of the role that the media plays and that it is his responsibility to communicate with us both in good and terrible times. He is always polite and never complains.
When the Canadiens were going through a very rough stretch a few years ago, I thanked Gallagher for granting me an extra 15 minutes after a scrum for some one-on-one questions for a column I was working on. I told him I realized it was a difficult time for him and the team.
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