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Can Cole Hutson replicate Lane’s success in the NHL?

Steven Ellis
Steven Ellis(sellishockey)
Mar 17, 2026, 10:30 EDTUpdated: Mar 16, 2026, 14:30 EDT
Can Cole Hutson replicate Lane’s success in the NHL?
Credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

Nobody denied Lane Hutson’s raw skill ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft.

The numbers were outstanding. He became just the second USA Hockey National Team Development Program defender behind Cam York to register 60 points in a season. Hutson was the best defenseman at the 2022 U-18 World Championship, and finished as one of the top three players on the team at the event twice. But at 5-foot-8, scouts were skeptical his play would ever translate to the NHL.

Fast forward two years. Hutson helped the USA win gold at the 2024 World Juniors and also took home a handful of NCAA awards. The transition to the NHL proved exceptionally smooth. Already to his credit, Hutson took home the Calder Trophy in 2024-25 with the Montreal Canadiens. He also recently set the record for most assists by an NHL defenseman in their first 150 games.

So yeah, Hutson proved what a small defender is capable of. But can that be replicated? Can his brother, Cole Hutson, become the next of the archetype to find big-time success?

The Washington Capitals sure hope so.

The Capitals signed Hutson to an entry-level contract after Boston University was eliminated by Northeastern University on Saturday. He’s eligible to play right away, with the option to take over on the top power-play unit after John Carlson’s departure. It’s going to be a bit of a trek for the Caps to climb into a wild-card spot. But with Hutson patrolling the blueline, it’s definitely not impossible.

If you’re looking for a carbon copy of Lane Hutson, this is as close as you’ll find. The biggest defining factor comes down to skating, with Lane having the edge there. Lane is one of the most mobile defenders of his generation, and while Cole is absolutely no slouch there, he has never been at the same level. One area Cole has an advantage in, though, is strength. Hutson was about two inches taller in his draft year and stands at 5-foot-11 and 171 pounds now, according to BU. He’s no Zdeno Chara, but that’s bigger than the 5-foot-9, 162 pounds that Lane was listed at in training camp this year.

In his draft year, scouts often discounted Cole, saying there was no way he would match his brother. But he doesn’t have to – Lane is one heck of an NHLer, and Cole can be quite effective without being a 1-to-1 match. Cole is an exceptionally smart play-driver and has had to do a ton of heavy lifting already in his career. He’s a top-five prospect in the game right now, just like Lane was before he went full-time with the Habs.

Cole Hutson registered 80 points over the past two seasons to lead everyone in that span. And that’s not surprising, given he set the record for points by a defenseman with the USNTDP. Hutson has been a leader at all levels throughout his career, which included leading the U-18 World Championship in points by a blueliner twice, while taking home top blueliner honors in 2024. Hutson then led the World Juniors in scoring – regardless of position – en route to a gold medal in 2025. And once he went down with an injury at the 2026 WJC, it was clear the USA missed the smart, high-octane puck-mover, capable of playing 25 minutes a night.

Hutson was considered by many to be the most creative defender in college over the past two years. That mantle was owned by Lane before that – and they played at the same school, too. Cole loves his headfakes, and opponents continued to fall for them time and time again. He’s exceptionally evasive, using his quick feet and steady hands to force opponents to think he’s going one way before pivoting another.

The best way to describe his play with the puck is “gifted”. On the attack, he’s essentially a fourth forward. He’s great at getting the pass up the ice, and he’s capable of making crucial decisions at pace. Defensively, Hutson still needs work, at least positionally. And he’s definitely not going to lay anyone out. But like Lane, Cole uses his footwork – primarily his speed – to consistently get himself into defensive lanes. Hutson’s defensive game isn’t one of his strengths, but it feels more refined than it was, say, two years ago. If Lane has proven anything, the raw talent should be able to carry Cole far, regardless.

Cole’s emergence comes at a big time for highly skilled defenders. The primary job of a defenseman is to, of course, defend. But between Lane, Matthew Schaefer and other young blueliners coming through the ranks, it’s clear that teams are more willing to take chances on puck-hungry youngsters who’ll defend primarily by attacking. The game continues to get faster and more skilled, and someone like Cole Hutson should have little issue adapting their game to the next level. Not every coach or fan will like the free-flying nature that Hutson brings to the table. But the Caps would be smart letting him run free while pairing him with someone a bit more defensively responsible.

Not only is Hutson Washington’s top defensive prospect (by quite a margain), but he’s their best prospect, period. Magic tends to happen when he has the puck on his stick in ways few 19-year-olds can replicate. His NHL arrival comes at a crossroads for the Capitals, as they look toward the future while still trying to find success in the Alex Ovechkin era. The team’s pipeline is quite stout for a group who has spent the better part of 20 years battling for playoff wins.

Scouts will tell you Cole isn’t as dynamic as his brother, and that his hockey sense simply isn’t on the same level. But those same scouts will tell you he’s not that far behind, and that the Capitals snagged him as an absolute steal at No. 43 in 2024.

“If Cole can be 85% of what Lane is, you’ll be happy,” one scout recently said.

Manipulating college kids is one thing. Doing it against the best of the best is another. But Lane Hutson should be the blueprint of what’s capable at the next level. The time is right for Cole to prove why he’s a game-changer, and Caps fans should be psyched about his arrival.

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