Even though Lane Hutson was a 20-month-old toddler when Sidney Crosby arrived in the NHL, the venerable Penguins captain already knows the young gun he will face on Monday.
Crosby said after Sunday’s Penguins practice that he skated with Hutson during a camp in Halifax last summer.
“I also watched some footage of him. He already seems comfortable on the ice. He is a very good skater, he keeps the puck, he can make plays and he already has confidence. He has the chance to play a big role already. »
Diagonally from Crosby’s locker is Matt Grzelcyk’s (pronounced like it’s spelled). Like Hutson, Grzelcyk is a small defenseman (5’10, 180 lbs) who also comes from Boston University.
“I had heard of him even before Boston University,” Grzelcyk recalls. It’s so impressive to see him go. We come from the same school, I’m happy to see how things are going for him. »
Grzelcyk, pick of 3e tour of the Bruins in 2012, had a nice college career, including a 38-point campaign in 41 games. However, he never reached such levels in the NHL; in 448 games, he has 135 points, but has established himself as a second or third pairing guard.
“I probably learned the hard way, I had too much pride and it led to injuries,” he agrees. You just have to understand what makes you a good player and choose your moments. Me, I wanted to get away from the guys who wanted to hit me and send the puck to the attackers so that they could carry it. I quickly began to focus on this aspect of the game. Instead of attempting spectacular plays in the offensive zone, I focused on my play in the neutral zone. »
“When I started, I was probably 5 or 10 pounds lighter than I am now. You have pride, you want to close the game on a guy. But if he weighs 210 lbs and skates well, you have to be smart and come in with the right angle. Lane is smart and he adjusted quickly. »
Another who once had a profile similar to that of Hutson is a certain Erik Karlsson. At 6′, he is taller than Hutson (5’10), but he remembers weighing “maybe 150 lbs” when the Senators drafted him 1er tour in 2008.
“The league has changed dramatically. It’s much easier to get your chance even if you don’t have the ideal size, says Karlsson. But it takes hockey sense and skating skills. If you have that, it doesn’t matter how big or small you are. »
“It’s good to see guys come into the league and continue to play their way, do what got them there and not change despite the pressure. »