Hughes Inspires Hutson's NHL Ascent

Defenseman Lane Hutson views Quinn Hughes as a significant inspiration for his NHL journey, believing Hughes demonstrated that players of smaller stature can succeed at the highest level. Hughes, who has firsthand experience battling such perceptions, has publicly supported Hutson, expressing strong belief in his potential.

Hughes noted that while Hutson is already impressive at 21 or 22 years old, his true potential will be seen as he matures, similar to how Hughes' own career progressed. Both players have faced doubts early on due to their size, but their competitive spirit and on-ice results have begun to counter those biases.

The article suggests that Hutson, much like Hughes before him, is on a trajectory to silence critics through sustained performance. Their parallel paths highlight a potential shift in how player size is perceived in professional hockey, with skill and hockey sense becoming increasingly valued over traditional physical molds.