Ben Hutton | #27 | D

[Hairy Kneel]

I think he'll get more opportunities on the pp I like the idea of pairing him with a stay at home defenseman and letting him free wheel a bit more. esp joining the rush 

[kylecanuck]

4 minutes ago, Gooseberries said:

Hutton managed 25 pts in 75 games later year. What is a realistic expectation this year points wise. 

 

I'm hoping for 30. 35 if he finds himself on the top pp unit for a significant amount of time.

 

I dont thinm 35 is out of reach for him next year at all next year, I've been following hutton oretty close since we drafted him. When he was in for the hobey baker award a few years ago it spiked my interest further. 

 

This kid has has huge upside, I remember watching him play a couple game online and he looked like a forward the way he attacked. He was always in a good spot defensively, and made smart passes. 

 

 

Im a homor so my expectations are inflated but I can see Hutton topping out at 45-50 points at his peak. I don't see why he can't become a number 2 d man in todays NHL

[Salacious Crumb]

Smilin' Ben brings so much optimism! 

[UFCanuck]

The Curious Case of Benjamin (B)Hutton.

 

He should install some targets into his practice net.

[Cramarossa]

http://vancouversun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/the-next-ben-hutton-may-already-be-here-for-the-canucks-says-ben-hutton

 

Canucks' next Ben Hutton may already be here, says Ben Hutton

JASON BOTCHFORD
More from Jason Botchford

Published on: September 10, 2016 | Last Updated: September 10, 2016 10:04 PM PDT

 

The vivid memories of his rapid ascent from longterm prospect to core Canuck, which had the feel of a voyage through the space-time continuum, were triggered again this week.

Taking part in informal skates with organizational teammates, Hutton couldn’t help but think back upon seeing Troy Stecher cut his way up and down the ice. He is the 22-year-old right-shot defenceman the Canucks signed as a college free agent in April.

He’s a good skater. He’s a puck mover. He’s coming off a successful year in playing in the NCAA. And, although he’s not in the team’s immediate plans, he has a chance this month to make the implausible happen, and earn his way onto the Canucks opening night roster.

Hutton, more than anyone, knows this to be true. It was only last September the former fifth-round draft pick shocked the Canucks world by doing the same.

“I told him ‘Dude, just go and play your game. Don’t think too much. Anything can happen,'” Hutton said. “And then I said, ‘Don’t take my job, though.'”

He then grinned with that warm, toothy smile which made him one of the most popular hockey players in Vancouver a hot minute after his arrival.

“I was joking with him,” he said laughing, before ending an interview like he had just dropped a mic.

Ben Hutton of the University of Maine Black Bears skates against the Boston University Terriers during NCAA action in 2014.

BACK TO SCHOOL

It was March 2015 when the Canucks signed Hutton to his first pro deal. It almost didn’t happen.

After surveying rosters in both Vancouver and Utica, Hutton was leaning toward returning to the University of Maine for a fourth year.

He just couldn’t see a clear path to what he wanted most, which was significant playing time.

The Canucks weren’t applying intense pressure, even if a return to school had potentially devastating ramifications. For one, Hutton would have an opportunity to become a free agent at the end of another year of college.

There weren’t any flights or meetings in Hutton’s hometown. But the Canucks did make phone calls, and they let Hutton’s camp know there were high on him and saw a future top-four defenceman.

“I thought both Utica and Vancouver were deep on defence. I didn’t want to be snubbed, and left at the bottom of a depth chart where it would be a long grind to play a big role,” Hutton said.

But Hutton then spent his reading week at home that school year, meeting with his advisors and parents. He was eventually swung in the other direction.

“I was nervous, but after those discussions I said ‘All right, let’s do it. Let’s sign,'” Hutton said. “Then, I came to (training) camp, and it all happened.”

By “all happened” Hutton means the most unlikeliest of scenarios unfolded. He went from a defenceman who was not needed in Utica to a critical component of the Canucks’ top four on their blueline.

No one saw it coming.

In March, Hutton arrived in Utica to play for Comets head coach Travis Green. He got in four regular-season games, but it wasn’t enough to convince Green the 22-year-old could help his team on what would be a long playoff run.

“They had a strong team,” Hutton said. “I felt I played well, but Green told me the situation.

“They had a lot of veteran defenceman. They were in first place. He said, ‘I don’t want to disrupt anything on the back end and get people upset.

“I said ‘Hey, no worries. But I’m here if you need me and if there’s an injury, I’m ready for you to put me in.'”

Hutton stayed with the team for one playoff series.

“He told me to go to Vancouver and go train,” Hutton said.

It probably helped. Hutton had a great offseason of training. But, to be real, the player who stormed his way onto the Canucks’ roster later that year was the same one who departed Utica having played just four times.

Ben Hutton lowers the boom on Edmonton Oliers then-rookie Connor McDavid during a Young Stars game last year iin Penticton.

YOUNG STARS EMERGENCE

As Hutton readied himself to play in the Canucks’ annual Young Stars tournament in Penticton last September, he was only thinking about making some type of impression on the team’s front office.

“I was just happy to be meeting the Sedins,” Hutton said. “I wasn’t thinking about making the team. I was just thinking about doing the best I could, to leave them something to remember.”

His thinking, however, changed the same way it does for many of us, after a call from his mom.

“I was at the prospects tournament and my mom told me (Canucks President Trevor) Linden in an interview said I looked like the best defenceman,” Hutton said. “I said, ‘Mom, are you sure he said that?’

“But that was a good confidence booster.”

So was the preseason.

Hutton had one strong game playing with Luca Sbisa and in the the Canucks’ fourth exhibition game, he had three assists, none more memorable than a 60-foot pass he made to Jared McCann.

“I clappered it to him backdoor,” Hutton said, remembering the play this week.

“I was sure he was going to shoot. He was sitting backdoor all alone.

“I was thinking ‘Just put it in, just put it in.’ But he sent the puck to the other side. I though, ‘Did you just miss the net there?’

“But then Bo (Horvat) tapped it. Wow, that was a sick play.”

Ben Hutton, right, credits Daniel Sedin, left, and Henrik for showing him the intracasies of the power play last year

LEARNING ON THE FLY

The Canucks will need plenty of those “sick” plays generated by Hutton this season.

Their defence collectively scored just 17 goals last year and improving that will be critical in staying closer to the playoff race this season than the Western Conference basement.

There is much hope that Hutton, who had one goal and 24 assists last year, can lead the way on that front.

He’s expected to be paired with Erik Gudbranson, who has the protect-his-own-end focus and was at his best in Florida when playing alongside offensive star blueliner Brian Campbell.

Hutton had an opportunity late last year, after Alex Edler’s injury, to take on a bigger offensive role, finding his way onto the Canucks’ first power-play unit with the Sedins. It wasn’t a success on the ice, but what Hutton learned could pay off this year.

“They taught me a ton about the power play,” Hutton said. “They would chat with me all time.

“They gave me a lot of tricks of the trades and I learned a lot about tendencies to help me out. Hopefully, this year it will really help me.”

Canucks defenceman Ben Hutton clears the puck away from Calgary Flames forward Mason Raymond during Vancouver’s 2015-16 home opener.

FINDING HIS PLACE IN THE NHL

A lot had to go right for Hutton to surprise everyone last season.

Nothing was more important, however, than his switch from forward to defence when he was 16 years old.

Hutton didn’t even play defence until he was 14 years old. He was both good and comfortable. But when got to his Junior A team, they were loaded on the blueline.

“So I played my first year of junior as a foward,” Hutton said. “But in my second year, we had no D. We couldn’t break the puck out. We couldn’t do anything.

“I said ‘coach, I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but maybe you want to try me on D one game?’

“I went on D one game and in my first shift, I ended up having two assists.

“Coach was like ‘Uh, we’re going to keep you on D and see how it goes.'”

Turns out, all the way to the NHL in six years.

 

[Green Building]

@ThrustyPrusty89 I just wandered in here to post that same thing!

[N4ZZY]

looking forward to Hutton this year. 

 

I don't think it's out of the imagination for him to get 35 points. 

 

Bo in his first season had 25 points, and he got 40 last year (second season). that's an increase of 15 points. I'm not saying that Hutton will get 40 points, but it's not out of the realm of possibility, especially if he's going to be involved in powerplay time. 

 

[Junkyard Dog]

Needs to work on improving his shot and defensive game.

 

His play without the puck in his own zone isn't bad but it isn't great either. People tend to overlook this side of his game because Hutton is so good in his own end at moving the puck, which is a great trait. I do think he will gradually improve on that side of his game as it was only his first year last year and he has good people to learn from. Having Gudbranson as a partner and Tanev as a teammate will definitely help.

 

His shot is better than most of our players, which is good for him but bad for the Canucks in general, and I just don't feel he utilizes it enough on top of the coaching staff not consistently putting him in positions to do so last season, which was understandable seeing as he was a rookie. That will change though with Hutton taking up a top 4 role. Despite those facts he should try to improve what he already has, if Hutton had the ability where he could consistently hit double digits in goals on top of his puck moving skills and offensive instincts then he would be a very dangerous and key player on a PP for many years.

 

He doesn't need to assert himself more physically, I don't feel that he need to as that is not the type of player he is. He will also be able to make more of an impact within his physical play when he gains more muscle and weight. If he were to assert himself as physical as he was last year, with improved strength with more weight, I would be content. He is already more assertive in that part of the game than Tanev is and Tanev is our best defenseman defensively and our most consistent.

 

Improving on those parts of his game seems doable over time. Hutton, to me, is capable of reaching his peak fairly soon in his career(I don't mean as soon as this season, I am being broad) because as a 2nd year player he has a great base to work with and there's not much holding him back from doing so. I feel like I don't even need to be as hopeful because I am pretty confident in Hutton's ability and capability in improving his game.

If there are hockey gods then they blessed us with Hutton after those years with an incompetent D-core. He was definitely a lucky find, thanks MG.

Edited September 19, 2016 by Junkyard Dog

[Putgolzin]

Remember about exactly one year ago when none of us had ever heard of Ben Hutton?

 

That's not fair, we had, and rated him about as highly as we currently have Carl Neill.

[saucypass]

Holy shiznakz, this guy was flying tonight! Loved the speed and skill of his end to ends. Really exciting to see what he can do this season with a better defensive partner in Gudbranson. 

[BananaMash]

16 minutes ago, suitup said:

Holy shiznakz, this guy was flying tonight! Loved the speed and skill of his end to ends. Really exciting to see what he can do this season with a better defensive partner in Gudbranson. 

 

He was definitely playing more aggressively (both in terms of offensively and physicality) with Gudbranson there. I think they'll be a lot of fun to watch going forward.

[Blömqvist]

Hutton and Gudbranson did really well keeping McDavid and Lucic off the scoresheet tonight. They definitely had the top defensive duties and played very well defensively. 

 

Hutton looked great everywhere tonight. He definitely has a lot of confidence in his skills right now and I can't wait to see all the other tricks he has up his sleeves!

[ILL BILL NECRO]

Just imagine if Hutton connected with that hit on Mcdavid. Mcdavid has a large buddy looking to protect him and it seems so does Hutton. It would have been fun to see how that all unfolded.    

[Boudrias]

I wanted to watch Hutton because he has put on 10 pounds. He was flying last night. Obviously coaching wants to pair him with EG which should give him more of an ability to rush up ice. I also noticed that Hutton was doing more physical battles for puck retrieval rather than fishing for the puck. His ability to puck handle in a crowd is as strong as ever.  

[Blömqvist]

1 hour ago, Boudrias said:

I wanted to watch Hutton because he has put on 10 pounds. He was flying last night. Obviously coaching wants to pair him with EG which should give him more of an ability to rush up ice. I also noticed that Hutton was doing more physical battles for puck retrieval rather than fishing for the puck. His ability to puck handle in a crowd is as strong as ever.  

 

What is Hutton up to now? Training camp and Elite Prospects numbers have him at 6'2" and 183 lbs. Is he at 190/195 lbs now?

[SamJamIam]

On 26/09/2016 at 8:00 PM, nzan said:

Remember about exactly one year ago when none of us had ever heard of Ben Hutton?

 

That's not fair, we had, and rated him about as highly as we currently have Carl Neill.

 

 

*cough* Hobey Baker finalist *cough*

 

Lots of folks knew he was going to be impressive.  Same guys who watched Boeser and couldn't ignore Stecher.  Come by the prospects board some time.

 

[Putgolzin]

9 hours ago, ILL BILL NECRO said:

Just imagine if Hutton connected with that hit on Mcdavid. Mcdavid has a large buddy looking to protect him and it seems so does Hutton. It would have been fun to see how that all unfolded.    

ugh...yeah, i'll bet we'll see Lucic vs Gudbranson before too long...it'll be like one of those youtube videos of grizzly bears fighting...

[Gaudette Celly]

2 hours ago, Blömqvist said:

 

What is Hutton up to now? Training camp and Elite Prospects numbers have him at 6'2" and 183 lbs. Is he at 190/195 lbs now?

 

Canucks recently listed him at 207 and Wikipedia at 208.

[BCNate]

I was very impressed by Hutton last night.  He had a gear and dynamic to his game that I didn't think was there.  Only 1 preseason game against many ECHL and AHLers, but very promising.

[Boudrias]

3 hours ago, Hutton Wink said:

 

Canucks recently listed him at 207 and Wikipedia at 208.

Sounds and looks about right to me. I some video of him back home during a workout. He was pretty thick through the torso which made me wonder if he was adding muscle or just enjoying some beer. Don't get me wrong the pics were not showing any flab. Even at 205 with his speed he will be a force.