Habs Daily: Hutson Debut, Tuch Contract, Mailloux Recalled

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Monday.

Montreal Canadiens News

• Don’t be surprised if prospect Luke Tuch follows in Lane Hutson’s footsteps by signing his entry-level contract this week. As we wait for the deal, we can take a look at what Habs fans should expect once the 22-year-old makes his professional hockey debut. [What To Expect From Montreal Canadiens Prospect Luke Tuch]

• Speaking of Hutson, he was set to make his NHL debut on Monday when the Habs faced off against the desperate Red Wings. Head coach Martin St-Louis decided to pair Hutson with David Savard as a way to provide the young defenceman with a defensive partner who can serve as a mentor. [Canadiens Game 81: Top Prospect Hutson To Make NHL Debut]

• There were no expectations in Hutson’s case, at least not from St-Louis. The Canadiens coach simply wanted the 20-year-old to enjoy his NHL debut. Hutson also signalled that having fun on the ice was a priority during game one.[Canadiens Practice: Hutson and St-Louis Discuss NHL Debut]

• It took Hutson exactly two shifts to register his name on an NHL scoresheet, as his net drive early in the first period led to the game’s opening goal.  [GOTTA SEE IT: Lane Hutson Earns First Point In First Game]

• The Canadiens eventually dropped the decision, losing 5-4 in overtime. Hutson was far from perfect, and that’s perfectly fine. He had no time to study the playbook or build any chemistry with his new teammates.  [Canadiens: Hutson Earns First Point In Exciting Loss To Detroit]

• Montreal proceeded to recall defenceman Logan Mailloux after Monday’s loss, perhaps as a reward for his strong season with the Laval Rocket in the AHL. Mailloux represented the Rocket at the AHL All-Star events earlier in the season.

Les Canadiens ont rappelé le défenseur Logan Mailloux du Rocket de Laval.

The Canadiens have recalled defenseman Logan Mailloux from the Laval Rocket.#GoHabsGo

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 16, 2024

National Hockey Now Network

• It took him until the final game of the season, but Nashville Predators defenseman Jeremy Lauzon sits alone at the top of the NHL record book. The 26-year-old blue-liner entered Monday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins needing nine hits to break Matt Martin’s decade-long record for single-season hits, and he got exactly that.

  [Nashville Predators]

• The New Jersey Devils’ season may be coming to an end on Monday, however, General Manager Tom Fitzgerald’s work is just beginning. On Monday’s MSG pregame broadcast, the Devils’ GM explained he’s currently trying to re-sign Devils enforcer Kurtis MacDermid. [New Jersey Devils]

• Former Michigan Wolverines football coach Jim Harbaugh has a question that was a family chant and became a rallying cry for the National Champion Wolverines. The query asks “Who’s got it better than us?” The correct answer is always “nobody,” but on Sunday “Frank Nazar” could apply, too. [Chicago Blackhawks]