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Ben Hutton | #27 | D


Samk

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I think it's a fair criticism of Hutton that though his underlying analytics were strong, his production was way off where anyone would have hoped for it to be.

 

In Hutton's first year, his skating and stick handling seemed decent but for whatever reason, he seemed to have trouble with coordination this year.  I didn't watch every game that he played but whenever I did, Hutton would have some solid plays but he would also seem to regularly misplay the puck and skate himself into odd ice positions without the ability to recover.  I'm sure it didn't help coming in and out of the line-up and playing with a variety of D partners but I presume all young defencemen need to be able to play effectively through those challenges.

 

It seems likely that Hutton will be on the trading block this summer and maybe a fresh start will help to rejuvenate him.  I would be content with him being kept on next season though the Canucks still need to bring in more depth at D anyway.  There's a lot to like about Hutton's game but it needs to come together (which there is precedent for in his rookie season) and, unfortunately, this season it looked like his game took a step back.

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It feels to me that Ben will be Green's next pet project. Much like how he turned Jake around somewhat, he'll now spend more time with Hutton to revitalize his NHL hopes. It would be quite a testament to his coaching skills if he could get Hutton going as well.

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4 minutes ago, -AJ- said:

It feels to me that Ben will be Green's next pet project. Much like how he turned Jake around somewhat, he'll now spend more time with Hutton to revitalize his NHL hopes. It would be quite a testament to his coaching skills if he could get Hutton going as well.

I think Hutton's going to turn it around next season. It's probably not saying much because of the season he's had this year, but still, progress is progress. If he doesn't turn it around next year, then I don't see Hutton being a long-term fixture on this club moving forward, unfortunately. 

 

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13 minutes ago, N4ZZY said:

I think Hutton's going to turn it around next season. It's probably not saying much because of the season he's had this year, but still, progress is progress. If he doesn't turn it around next year, then I don't see Hutton being a long-term fixture on this club moving forward, unfortunately. 

 

Agreed. He has one year to turn it around, otherwise he'll eternally be a depth defenseman or a top AHL defenseman.

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19 minutes ago, -AJ- said:

Agreed. He has one year to turn it around, otherwise he'll eternally be a depth defenseman or a top AHL defenseman.

I'd agree with that statement. Yep. If Hutton was 21, or even 22, I think he'd have 2-3 seasons to prove his worth. 

The fact that Hutton is 25 (Don't know when he'll turn 26), he's running out of time. And the club isn't standing still either. They will make some signings (Carlson, maybe?), as well as the incoming draft picks this season, as well as dmen who are already in the system (Utica, or in Juniors). If Hutton comes back the same, he's not going to make the squad. Sautner when he was with the big club was showing some promise, and he played really well in his short stint with the club, could he be someone who is chomping at Hutton's rear end for a job with the team? Hutton standing still, means he's moving backwards. If that's the case next season, then the wake up call this season obviously didn't get to him. Time to cut and move on. 

 

 

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5 hours ago, NHL97OneTimer said:

Look at Jake a few months ago and look at him now.  Is a 25 year old defenseman over the hill?!!!  Do the Canucks really have a handful of better defensemen coming up?  C'mon man.  You're stretching here.  If Ben works hard over the summer with his fitness, there's a solid chance he'll be a better player and have a good chance at a job.  I would alter my stance if the Canucks were a contending team or if they pick up some great defensemen over the off-season but the bar is pretty low at the moment.  There's still hope for Ben but he has to pick up the shovel.

In the presser green deflected when asked what Ben’s strengths are.  No he isn’t a right off but I don’t think his skating and bad play can be fixed in a summer. 

 

Jake had a large part of last season in Utica working with Green and this year as well.  Jake in his presser mentioned his time learning in Utica as an important reason for his good season this year.   They invested a lot of time in Jake and Goldy this season. Wonder if Ben got that attention as well?

 

I will be very surprised if Hutton makes the team out of camp.  

 

 

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I do like Hutton's potential but he did have a bad year. For every good play I noticed I would also notice 2 glaring mistakes shortly after.

 

I really hope he can make strides in the summer and work on his conditioning; come to camp ready to challenge for a spot and not expect to be an auto-lock for next season. He needs to be like Stecher with the "dog on a bone" kind of work ethic.

 

Make your detractors eat some crow Ben! I believe in you!

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9 hours ago, aGENT said:

Hell, even McEneny, Brisebois, Sautner, Chatfield, Rathbone, Brassard etc have a chance of being better D down the line than what Hutton showed most of this year.

Down the line is the key point here......not this season for these names (except maybe Sautner?).

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1 hour ago, Where'd Luongo? said:

I think Green and Hutton clash and I'd be shocked if Hutton is back next season. 

 

I also think Hutton will have a successful season on his next team. 

Green doesn't clash with players.  He tells you how to play and either you do or don't.  If you don't play the way he wants you don't play.  Coaches are hired to decide how the team should play.  Pretty simple and professional.  Jake and Goldy seemed to get it.    Green the coach doesn't come across as someone who takes things personally.   Green has a lot of experience as a player and a coach.

 

I like Hutton but sometimes he was worse than a beer league player - I am not kidding either.  Hopefully, he is up for the challenge.  

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6 hours ago, samurai said:

In the presser green deflected when asked what Ben’s strengths are.  No he isn’t a right off but I don’t think his skating and bad play can be fixed in a summer. 

 

Jake had a large part of last season in Utica working with Green and this year as well.  Jake in his presser mentioned his time learning in Utica as an important reason for his good season this year.   They invested a lot of time in Jake and Goldy this season. Wonder if Ben got that attention as well?

 

I will be very surprised if Hutton makes the team out of camp.  

 

 

Ben Hutton likely has the AHL at the bottom and the second line of this team at his peak (but not the second line of other teams).  The reality is that he's probably the 7th D as it stands now.  BUT, I do think it's too early to write him off as an AHLer.  Tough to fix the bad play and skating but certainly within reach to correct his attitude and fitness level.  

 

I'm being a realist that the status quo isn't good enough but I'm also not writing him off......I think this market turns against players too quickly when they have a bad couple of years which I think is tough when a player is still below the prime age.

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12 minutes ago, NHL97OneTimer said:

Juolevi won't be ready this year......at least that's what The Province is hinting at:

 

http://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/hutton-on-hot-seat-as-canucks-defence-must-get-better

Well, that does it then.   If a Vancouver newspaper says it the why bother with summer training, prospects tourney, training camp and exhibition schedule to assess this highly talented 19 year old who just finished off an excellent first season of professional hockey.   Too bad the coaches cannot make the decision - oh well, I guess if the "Vancouver Province" has spoken it must be the case.

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Give Hutton a summer to both clear his head and figure out commitment to what the coaches were preaching last year.    The players that had it go "click" including Virtanen, Stecher and Goldy.   Hutton - no so much.   He needs to be allowed to be broken down and rebuilt so he can better understand zone coverages, break-out strategies AND when and when not to be aggressive up front as he seemed so damn tentative all year.    Look at the progress DP made in coming from Pittsburgh - arguably he was discovering how he can be an effective NHL player and by the end of the season, he was still making mistakes but his confidence was apparent with some of the excellent offensive plays, strong positional play and even increased physical play.    Hutton needs to embrace something similar or he will be passed by a lot people on the depth chart and it is not like there will be line up with other teams to give a a spot to a guy who looks as lost as poor Ben did much of this past season.

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I like Sautner way better, took the body hard and I am sure he could do better than 6 assists.

I wouldn't count Joulevi out either, or Biega.

Pouliot and MDZ are back.

I think Hutton clears and rebuilds in Utica. Second call up depending on what Cull says.

Plus a UFA or college signing might surprise us.

I think Hutton's pretty much one and done.

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1 hour ago, Hairy Kneel said:

I like Sautner way better, took the body hard and I am sure he could do better than 6 assists.

I wouldn't count Joulevi out either, or Biega.

Pouliot and MDZ are back.

I think Hutton clears and rebuilds in Utica. Second call up depending on what Cull says.

Plus a UFA or college signing might surprise us.

I think Hutton's pretty much one and done.

I think Hutton is moved, but I think McEneny is the guy thats going to surprise and take a spot next year. I was impressed with Sautner though so wont be surprised if he makes the team.

 

Edler, DelZotto, Pouliot, McEneny/Sautner on LD to start. Trade one of Edler or Del Zotto at deadline and bring up Juolevi.

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3 hours ago, Crabcakes said:

It's Botchford and the article is about Hutton.  He just throws in a comment about Juolevi not being ready with absolutely nothing to back it up.  Surely he's referring to Sami Salo's interviews where he gives luke warm unenthusiastic responses to questions on whether he is ready for prime time.  Maybe that's Sami.  Maybe he needs a year in Utica.  Juolevi will be ready when he's ready.  He's only 19.

 

Botch is all about drama.  Jesus, how does he finish?  "some around the team say......"  Who?  Coaches? Management?  Henrik Sedin's kids?  Or the obtuse as hell frigging media?  Nothing like creating intrigue out of water cooler chat.  STFU......../end of rant.....sorry

Sure.......except it's been a consistent story that Juolevi isn't ready yet.  Only in the past few weeks has he been playing first line minutes on the D end.  I think you've supported the point that he's still young and will be ready when he's ready.  My point is that it's a leap to think he'll push Hutton out of a spot this year.

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5 hours ago, Rob_Zepp said:

Well, that does it then.   If a Vancouver newspaper says it the why bother with summer training, prospects tourney, training camp and exhibition schedule to assess this highly talented 19 year old who just finished off an excellent first season of professional hockey.   Too bad the coaches cannot make the decision - oh well, I guess if the "Vancouver Province" has spoken it must be the case.

See answer above. 

 

Feeling a little knee-jerk reaction Rob?!!!  A bit overstated.  Why don't you also tell me then that whoever is drafted this year will have the same chance of making the team as Bo because it's up to the process and coaches?!!!  The link was provided simply as a source which has been consistently tracking the young guys throughout the year.  

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