Cole Hutson took to the NHL like a fish to water as a 19-year-old defenseman, but even he was surprised by how hard it is to defend some of the stars in the league.
Hutson, who has returned to Boston after the Washington Capitals saw their season end last week, was a guest on Jonny Lazarus and Colby Cohen’s Morning Cuppa Hockey show for Daily Faceoff on Tuesday. During the interview, Hutson was asked if he went up against any specific players in his 14 games for the Capitals that really impressed him.
“Yeah, I mean, there were definitely a few,” Hutson said. “One, obviously, (Nathan) MacKinnon. I think my first shift out against him, I took a penalty. I had him completely closed off onto the wall, and then he jumped by me through the middle, and I held him.”
Hutson went up against MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche in just his third career game, which the Capitals lost 3-2 in overtime. The 2024 second-round pick notched his first career NHL assist in the game, but also took his first career minor penalty on MacKinnon during the play he described.
“John Tavares was one of them,” Hutson said. “He was just so shockingly good, and obviously, he’s an older guy in the league, but he was so unpredictable and just like every time net front, he’s getting a stick on it, and you’re not sure if it’s going in or not.”
Hutson and the Capitals played Tavares and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 8, with the Caps winning 4-0. The teenage rearguard scored his third and final goal of the season in the victory.
“Obviously, (Jack) Eichel,” Hutson said. “Just all the guys who have the big name in the league have the big name in the league for a reason.”
The Capitals made the trip to play Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights on March 28, beating them 5-4 in a shootout. Hutson recorded his first career multi-point game in the win, notching two power-play assists.
Hutson fared well in his shared five-on-five ice time with Eichel, as the Golden Knights did not record a single shot attempt with the two over the boards at the same time. The rookie blueliner also labeled Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena as the coolest road rink he played in.
“Vegas was definitely the coolest,” Huton said. “Just sold-out rink in 100-degree weather is unbelievable.”
Hutson, who also previously listed a matchup with Columbus Blue Jackets forward Charlie Coyle as his “Welcome to the NHL” moment, will likely have a full season of competition with the Capitals next year. He posted 10 points (3g, 7a) and skated 17:27 of average ice time per game in his 14 games this spring.
