Is 2024 draft prospect Cole Hutson a fit for the Calgary Flames prospect pool?

The Hutson brothers could be the next great group of brothers.

Over time, there have been some great trios of brothers, with the Hughes brothers (Quinn, Jack, Luke) being the most recent one. Well, there’s a chance for another trio of brothers to make an impact, the Hutson brothers.

In the second round of the 2022 draft, the Montréal Canadiens selected Lane Hutson, who scored 15 goals and 49 points in 38 games this season for Boston University in the NCAA. On top of that, he made his National Hockey League debut where he had two assists in two games.

In this article, we’ll look at his younger brother, Cole Hutson.

Hutson will turn 18 the day of the first round of the draft, but the big question is whether or not he’ll be selected there. With the U.S. National Development Team in the United States Hockey league, the left-shot defenceman scored three goals and 12 points in 19 games, fewer than the four goals and 25 points he had in 32 games played the season prior. He is committed to Boston University, replacing his brother Lane (as well his other older brother, Quinn).

However, Hutson will likely go higher than where his brother was selected (62nd), as Scott Wheeler ranks him as his 31st-best draft prospect. Huston’s highest ranking comes from Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala, who has him ranked as the 22nd best draft prospect. Moreover, Chris Peters from FloHockey has him 28th, while TSN’s Craig Button has him ranked 23rd.

That doesn’t mean that there aren’t some publications a little lower on him. Eliteprospects have him ranked as their 50th best draft prospect, while his consolidated ranking is 32nd. His lowest ranking is 55th from McKeen’s hockey, while Daily Faceoff has him ranked 36. It’s safe to say that if the Flames want him, it’d have to come with either their late first-round pick or their second-round pick.

According to The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler, the lack of production was Hutson’s attempt to “dial in his defensive game”. He’s a physical defencemen who is a good skater, both aspects are better than what Lane provides. On top of that, he’s excellent at breaking the puck out and his defence is solid as well, a good building block for any good offensive defenceman.

Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis notes that he’s defensively flawed and can be a little too cute, and at 5’10”, he’s on the small side. However, Ellis points to his hockey IQ and is an elusive skater, while his shot has improved.

Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala is rather high on him, ranking Hutson as his 22nd best draft prospect. Bukala also noted the size issue, but has great vision to make those breakout passes. His skating is elusive and he’ll be a power play quarterback in the future.

It seems likely that Hutson will either go late in round one or early in round two. Thankfully, the Flames will have the 28th overall pick and the 41st overall pick, but he may not be available during the second round whenever the Flames pick.