COLE HUTSON

Defenseman
5’10/159
Left
US National U18 Team (NTDP)/USNTDP Juniors (USHL)

Related: EJ Emery

Cole Hutson has as high of an offensive upside as any defenseman in the 2024 NHL Draft, but he is undersized and a liability on defense, which may cause him to fall out of the 1st round entirely. The younger brother of Montreal Canadiens’ prospect, Lane, Cole Hutson’s on-puck toolkit is even more dynamic and refined than Lane’s was in his draft year, featuring far more fluidity in his skating, a significantly higher top speed, and the offensive aggression that his brother only fully leaned into when he hit the NCAA. Cole is a high-end puck-mover, Hutson can electrify with some of his moves to get himself out of trouble on the attack. Unfortunately just like Lane, Cole’s defensive game leaves a lot to be desired, and that hasn’t changed over the past year, either. He’s an outstanding puck-mover with a high-end offensive brain who can run a power play like a pro. He makes so many tough plays with how well he navigates the offensive blue line. He has good shiftiness in his feet and can make checkers miss. Although Hutson’s offensive numbers aren’t spectacular, he does have 11 goals and 38 points in 43 games with the US National U18 team of the NTDP and 12 points in 19 games with the USNTDP Juniors of the USHL. Cole Hutson is projected to be a defenseman who could turn into an excellent powerplay QB and puck-moving defenseman and should be selected around the late first round to early second round.

Size/Strength Below Average
Skating Excellent
Shot/Scoring Good
Puckhandling Great
Physical Play Below Average
Offensive Play Great
Defensive Play Average
Hockey Sense Great
Competitiveness Good

Strengths

1. His on-puck toolkit is even more dynamic and refined than Lane’s was in his draft year, featuring far more fluidity in his skating, a significantly higher top speed.
2. A high-end puck-mover, Hutson can electrify with some of his moves to get himself out of trouble on the attack.
3. Has a great Hockey IQ, a high-end offensive brain; runs the powerplay like a pro already.

Areas of Improvement

1. Cole’s defensive game leaves a lot to be desired.
2. Needs to work on gap control; is very inconsistent at defending against rush chances and the cycle.
3. Is Undersized; needs to add more muscle.

Scouting Report

Cole Hutson is the most polarizing prospect in the 2024 NHL Draft because there are some scouts very high on him and think he has star potential, but then there are scouts who have doubts he can cut it as an NHL-caliber defenseman. Offensively, he flashes brilliant skill, combined with advanced anticipation, creativity, deception, and processing speed. On the other hand, his defensive play has turned a fair few hairs on our heads gray already. His loose gap control, very inconsistent defensive scanning both against the rush and the cycle, and perception of secondary scoring threats have contributed to his fall in the draft rankings and might cause him to fall outside of the 1st round. Cole’s on-puck toolkit is even more dynamic and refined than Lane’s was in his draft year, featuring far more fluidity in his skating, a significantly higher top speed, and the offensive aggression that his brother only fully leaned into when he hit the NCAA. A high-end puck-mover, Hutson can electrify with some of his moves to get himself out of trouble on the attack. But just like Lane, Cole’s defensive game leaves a lot to be desired, and that hasn’t changed over the past year, either. Hutson loves having the puck on his stick and is upstaged only by James Hagens among USNDTP puck carriers this year. He’s an outstanding puck-mover with a high-end offensive brain who can run a power play like a pro. He makes so many tough plays with how well he navigates the offensive blue line. He has good shiftiness in his feet and can make checkers miss. An NHL Comparison for Cole Hutson is Torey Krug or Shayne Gostisbehere, who came into the NHL as
excellent options when it came to running the powerplay, but when it came to actually playing defense, was a major liability As long as Cole Hutson can contribute on the Powerplay, he should find a spot on an NHL roster and if he continues to fall in the draft rankings, it could help him land on a team that puts him in a position to succeed. Overall, Cole Hutson is an offensive defenseman with elite creativity, deception, and handling skill, but his defensive game needs an overhaul for him to not project as a liability in his own zone at the NHL level. With that said, there are too many holes in his game to warrant him being selected in the first round of the draft, but I could definitely see a team using a second-round pick on him.

Skill: Elite Puck Moving Defenseman, Powerplay Specialist

NHL Comparable: Torey Krug/Shayne Gostisbehere

NHL Potential: Top 6 Puck Moving Defenseman

Season	Team	League	GP	G	PTS
2022-23	US National U17 Team	NTDP	42	8	42
	US National U18 Team	NTDP	19	2	26
	USNTDP Juniors	USHL	32	4	25
	USA U18	WJC-18	7	1	12
2023-24	US National U18 Team	NTDP	43	11	38
	USNTDP Juniors	USHL	3	9	12

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