In Kaiden Guhle's case, we tend to forget that he is only 22 years old. It's incredible the maturity he has in his game at such a young age. It feels like he's 30.
However, even though he has had good moments as a quarterback in junior, he is more of a specialist in his zone in the NHL. He is very reliable and difficult to play against.
For Lane Hutson, it's a bit the opposite. He is a specialist in transition and offense. He is the first real quarterback since Andrei Markov.
A rather shocking statement was made by François Gagnon, involving both defensemen. He doesn't seem at all convinced that Lane Hutson will remain in Montreal, to the point where he wouldn't even put him on the power play.
The journalist would place Kaiden Guhle on the first unit. According to him, number 21 has more offensive ability than one might think and could calm the game to allow Michael Matheson to express himself more freely.
He would then place Justin Barron on the second unit of five-on-five, but still no Lane Hutson. «We'll see if he stays more than 10 games,» he said.
Personally, I can't believe it at all. I am shocked by such a statement. Not playing Lane Hutson on the power play would be as logical as putting Nick Suzuki on the fourth line.
Martin St-Louis has a raw talent, a diamond to polish, and he would leave him on the bench instead of exploiting his strengths? I highly doubt it, but he is entitled to his opinion.
As for Kaiden Guhle, I don't mind the idea of seeing him in a more offensive role, but not on the first unit. A power play is meant to attack. Having the mindset of keeping a player to calm the game is fear-based, while the other teams should be the ones fearing, in my opinion.
Moreover, Michael Matheson is so quick and fluid on skates that he doesn't need someone to watch his back in that situation.
For me, a power play should be based solely on offense, and that's how the Canadiens will stop lingering at the bottom of the NHL. To do this, they must use the best players, and the Canadiens finally have elements to excel in such situations.
POLL | ||
25 SEPTEMBRE | 204 ANSWERS Shocking statement about Kaiden Guhle and Lane Hutson: I can't believe it Do you think Lane Hutson deserves to play on the power play? | ||
Yes | 194 | 95.1 % |
No | 10 | 4.9 % |
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