The NHL has changed a lot in the past two decades, favouring skill more than size, and that means many smaller players are finding success. This season, the 5’9” Johnny Gaudreau finished fourth in Hart Trophy voting, and Quinn Hughes, who is listed at 5’10”, rode a 68-point season to a spot on five ballots for the Norris Trophy.
At 5’8”, Lane Hutson is hoping the success for shorter NHLers continues through his own playing career, and as a defenceman he’ll be modeling his game more after Quinn Hughes, Torey Krug, and other small blue-liners. At least in his Junior career, he did a good job of setting himself up on that path, going into the 2022 NHL Draft as arguably the best offensive defenceman available.