Cole Hutson will make his NHL debut for the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.
After just one day of practice and a quick morning skate, the 19-year-old defenseman is ready to suit up against the Ottawa Senators. Hutson signed his entry-level contract with the Capitals this past Sunday and took the ice with his new teammates for the first time on Tuesday morning, skating on a defense pair with veteran Matt Roy.
“Couldn’t be more nervous for this first game,” Hutson said pregame. “I’m obviously really excited to get the opportunity, but I’m definitely really nervous for sure.”
Hutson heads into his pro debut after a two-year college career at Boston University, during which he recorded 80 points (24g, 56a) in 74 games. This season, he led BU in overall scoring (32), assists (22), shots on goal (148), game-winning goals (4), plus-minus (+13), and time on ice per game (24:53).
While BU put him on a great development path, Hutson says what the Capitals do in the NHL is a different beast than the NCAA, and he’s going to have to learn on the fly.
“So much different,” Hutson said. “It’s going to be a big change for me. Hopefully, I’m able to pick up the new systems quick. Completely different forecheck, different neutral zone set. Just a bunch of new things for me.
“I think it’s definitely going to be really, really fast. At least for the first few shifts, it’s going to be way quicker. Bigger, faster, stronger guys. Hopefully, I’m just in the right spots at the right time and don’t really feel that much pressure.”
Hutson, who confirmed he will have his dad, Rob, and mom, Julie, in attendance, also mentioned that the best advice he has received so far has been from Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery, who told him not to worry about making mistakes as the team obviously expects some growing pains. Carbery echoed some of that in his own pregame media availability.
“Try to shake the nerves off as quickly as you can,” Carbery said. “Don’t put pressure on yourself. Go work your butt off and utilize your skill set. That’s the best advice that I can give him as to playing in his first game. There’s going to obviously be jitters and nerves and that, but as quickly as he can get into the game, don’t put any pressure on yourself. Go have fun, enjoy the moment.”
While Carbery and the rest of his staff considered pushing Hutson’s debut further into the week, they ultimately decided it would be better for him to immediately get a taste of the NHL. And they think his unique offensive skill set can already be a big help at even strength and on the power play.
“Did we feel like maybe easing him in against New Jersey on Friday? Did we talk about that? Yeah, we did to maybe give him a couple extra days of preparation and factor in the opponent, Ottawa, heavy forecheck,” Carbery said. “They’re playing as good as anybody in the league right now, so it’s going to be a difficult game for him to play in from an opponent’s standpoint. But when we weighed all of the different factors, we felt like, why not get him in the lineup as quickly as we can and get his journey as an NHL player and as a member of the Washington Capitals started right now?
“He can help us. I mean, that’s the reality. He could make a play that could be the difference in the game offensively, a little bit of power play, maybe make some plays at the offensive blue line. We’ve been a little bit scoring-challenged of late at five-on-five, take away the Calgary game. Let’s go.”
Hutson has already picked out his goal song, a choice aided by new roommate Pierre-Luc Dubois’ home sound system, but would not reveal what the two settled on. “I’m not going to tell you, I’m going to make you wait,” he said.
Projected Capitals lineup for Cole Hutson’s NHL debut
Hutson, who will wear jersey number 44, will try to be a spark for an offense that hasn’t scored more than two goals in any of their last three games.
Carbery confirmed that Logan Thompson will start in net against the Senators. The Capitals have not beaten Ottawa in two tries this season, getting outscored 11-4 in the two losses.
