Legendary NHL enforcer Georges Laraque compares Canadiens rookie to $54M Avalanche superstar

Legendary NHL enforcer Georges Laraque has been watching Montreal Canadiens rookie Lane Hutson. Recently, Hutson had a highlight reel go viral on X, where he faked out the defenders and the camera crew. The impressive play prompted Laraque to take to the Internet to praise Hutson.

He quoted the video and suggested that the Canadiens might have found their own version of Cale Makar, the $54 million star of the Colorado Avalanche.

"Can we say now that @CanadiensMTL has their own Cale Makar?" Laraque wrote on X.

In the highlight, Hutson took the puck behind his own net, stopped it, and then sent a pass to the right side of the ice. The camera followed the pass, as did the other players. However, Hutson still had the puck and sent it to the left, catching everyone off guard. The deke got the attention of Laraque, who gave the rookie a high compliment.

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Canadiens' Lane Hutson draws praise after hot start

George Laraque isn't the only person taking notice of Lane Hutson's hot start. The rookie defenseman was once considered too small to be as impactful as other players, but he is proving them wrong.

Lane Hutson drew a lot of praise early on (Credits: IMAGN)

Mike Matheson has taken note of the play. He praised his teammate, saying via Sportsnet after a dominant outing:

“I think of him, and then I think of Patty Laine. Just those additions are exciting, but they also bring confidence to the group. Just to look up and down a lineup you’re playing against and look up and down ours and know we can handle these guys is something.”

Cole Caufield also praised his teammate, highlighting his fakes like the one Laraque took notice of:

“I think our hips hurt from the bench. I think everyone in the building is kind of like, ‘wow,’ and I think we just feel the same way. It’s pretty crazy what he’s doing. To do it at this level, it’s pretty crazy and special.”

So far, the Montreal Canadiens are off to a decent start, placing second in the Atlantic Division behind the Toronto Maple Leafs.