NEWARK, N.J. – Cole Hutson has fluctuated between the highs and lows of life in the NHL this week.
On Tuesday, the 20-year-old defenseman delivered the game-winning goal in overtime in Ottawa — shortly after giving away the puck on two consecutive sequences.
Two days later, in a road game here against the Devils, he committed a holding penalty less than two minutes into the game, which led to New Jersey’s first goal. But Hutson, again, recovered quickly, assisting on the Capitals first goal in what was ultimately a 5-2 loss.
It’s been a fitting capsule of a tremendously gifted young player who is very much still learning.
Trending
Hutson was his harshest critic postgame on Thursday.
“I didn’t play well enough,” Hutson told reporters. “Simple as that. Could have made some plays offensively. Doesn’t matter when you’re making mistakes defensively, constantly. Got to be a little bit better.”
His teammates didn’t share his sentiment.
“When he has the puck, good things happen,” veteran right winger Tom Wilson said. “He’s so dynamic. Just one of those guys you feel like giving him the puck and he’s gonna find something out of nothing.”
Sign up for The Washington Sun Metro newsletter for essential coverage of the D.C. region.
Hutson is one of several key young players considered part of the future for the Capitals — along with 21-year-old Ryan Leonard and 20-year-old Ilya Protas. The organization is willing to live with the growing pains because of his vast potential: Hutson offers a remarkably skilled offensive game for a defenseman and has shown the ability to quarterback the power play. His playmaking skills and vision are striking for a player so young. Hutson was drafted in the second round in 2024 and played two seasons for Boston University before making the jump to the Capitals last March.
That playmaking ability is unique among defensemen on this roster. “The important thing for me is that a partner understands that Cole is going to be in some unique spots, and you have to read off him,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said. Lately, Carbery has paired Hutson with newcomer Jack St. Ivany, whom the Capitals claimed off waivers from Winnipeg in October. The pair has gelled quickly.
“I try to get the puck to him as much as I can, with a playmaker like that,” St. Ivany told The Washington Sun at practice last week. “I prefer the puck to be in his hands. You know, he can create a lot offensively, but I think what’s slept on too is his defense … He doesn’t get enough credit. I think he’s able to skate really well, so he closes quick on guys.”
Hutson’s five goals and seven assists rank fourth on the Capitals. St. Ivany has one goal and four assists in his six games with the team.
Thursday was the first of two consecutive games against the Devils, with the Capitals hosting on Saturday night. In a way, the game served as a meeting between the present and future of two of hockey’s first families. Hutson’s two older brothers, Quinn (Oilers) and Lane (Canadiens) also play in the league, while the Devils boast two of the three Hughes brothers in Jack and Luke. (Older brother Quinn Hughes plays for the Wild.)
It’s another reason why the Capitals are willing to live with Hutson’s current mistakes, while continuing to see him flash his potential as another piece to the organization’s future.
“The last few games, [he’s] continued to get better and better and better in his defensive game, his play without the puck,” Carbery said. “He’s going to get there. I have no doubt he’s going to be able to play in all situations, play more minutes early in his rookie campaign. It’s about us as a coaching staff making sure that we’re putting him in positions on the ice to be successful.”
Author
Contributor
