With a powerplay goal in the rookie preseason game against the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers prospect Quinn Hutson picked up right where he left off last season. The winger scored 30 goals in the American Hockey League, playing for the Oilers' farm team, the Bakersfield Condors, which was good enough for 8th in league scoring. He also scored his first ever National Hockey League goal right before Christmas in a call up for the pro team.
Hutson managed 63 total points last season, with 33 assists alongside his 30 goals in 67 appearances. That put him eighth in AHL goal scoring and ninth in the overall scoring race. Using NHL equivalency models, that total would work out to around 37 points on the Oilers.
Naturally, we have to manage expectations, because Hutson is unlikely to get the same amount of icetime with the big club that he did last year in Bakersfield. The AHL doesn't track shift lengths or average time on ice, but Hutson was playing on the Condors' first line, so any NHL average is naturally going to be a reduction.
Still, Hutson improved over the four games he played last season, seeing increased ice time and obviously he created more offence in the final game, where he scored his goal. The team results were also better in his second two appearances, with the Oilers capturing victories over the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks.
Hutson has a chance to make the NHL
With fellow youngster Matthew Savoie out with injury, Hutson is one of the players to watch during training camp, as the opportunity exists for him to grab a spot, at least until Savoie returns to the lineup.
Hutson has surely been working on his game this offseason, and the things he'll want to show head coach Mike Babcock are a quicker first step and top end skating speed, as well as slightly increased shot power. Both were below the NHL average last season, but Hutson is a developing prospect, and the sample size is admittedly small.
If he can impress the coaches and make the opening night lineup, keeping goals against down and providing limited offense could be enough to keep him on the pro club until Savoie returns, but if he wants to permanently land in the NHL, he'll have to show that he can help push the momentum in the Oilers' favor in whatever limited minutes are bestowed upon him.
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