Since his arrival with the Canadian, “Hutsonmania” has taken over Montreal. Little number 48 delights the crowd every time he touches the puck and has already collected four points in as many games this season.
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If he keeps up the pace, first-year guard Lane Hutson could have one of the best performances in National Hockey League (NHL) history. However, to achieve this he must be consistent and stay healthy.
Here are the 10 best points totals for a rookie defenseman in NHL history.
10. Stefan Persson | New York (Islanders) | 56 points
Persson was one of the members of the Islanders dynasty in the early 1980s and quickly established himself as a key offensive defenseman after arriving in the NHL. The Swede collected 56 points in 66 games in his first year. He scored 60 or more points in two seasons during his 622-game career.
9. Nicklas Lidstrom | Detroit | 60 points
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A selection of 3e In the first round of the 1989 auction, Lidstrom surpassed his selection in his first year with an impressive 60 points in 80 games in Detroit. We know the rest… he became one of the best guards of his generation with 1,142 points in 1,564 games and won the Norris Trophy eight times.
8. Reed Larson | Detroit | 60 points
Although his name doesn’t have as much traction in Detroit as Lidstrom, Larson still had a bright start to his career in the motor city. Not only did he score 60 points in 75 games in his rookie year, he went on to record 67, 66, 58, 60, 74, 62, 62 and 60 point seasons with the Red Wings.
7. Barry Beck | Colorado (Rocky Mountains) | 60 points
The runner-up in the 1977 amateur auction had the best season of his career in his rookie year. After scoring 60 points, including 22 goals, in 1977/78, he never managed to surpass those two points. He ultimately finished his career with 355 points in 615 games.
6. Chris Chelios | Montreal | 64 points
Older players will remember the impact of Chris Chelios’ arrival with the Habs. Only 22 years old, the American quickly established himself as a fixture on the CH blue line with 64 points in 74 games in his first season in 1984-1985. Four seasons later, he got his hands on the first of his three Norris Trophies, but the only one he won in the blue, white and red uniform.
5. Raymond Bourque | Boston | 65 points
The Quebec defenseman had one of the greatest careers by a defenseman in NHL history. His 65 points in the 1979-1980 season allowed him to win the Calder Trophy, given to the outstanding rookie. He went on to win five Norris Trophies and leads all guards in history with 1,579 points.
4. Phil Houseley | Buffalo | 66 points
Despite his small stature, Housley was known for his great mobility and was one of the best offensive defenders of his generation. He scored 66 points in 77 games in his first year with the Buffalo Sabres, then shone with seasons of 86 and 97 points with the Winnipeg Jets. However, his successes on the ice did not allow him to get his hands on a single trophy throughout his career.
3. Gary Sutter | Calgary | 68 points
The uncle of current St. Louis Blues defenseman Ryan Suter ranks third in history for a rookie defenseman in the NHL. From his first year onwards he formed a formidable duo with young Al MacInnis. The two rearguard teams each collected 68 points during the 1985-1986 regular season and then helped the Flames reach the Stanley Cup Final.
2. Brian Leetch | New York (Rangers) | 71 points
Like Suter and Chelios, Brian Leetch also made the jump to the NHL after attending American colleges. This path seems to have borne fruit as the defender scored no fewer than 71 points, including 23 goals, in the 1988/89 season. His performances earned him the title of rookie par excellence on the race track. Three seasons later, Leetch won the first Norris Trophy of his career after amassing an impressive 102 points in 80 games.
1. Larry Murphy | Los Angeles | 76 points
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Paul Coffey? Bobby Orr? NO! Rather, it is Larry Murphy who holds the most points for a first-year guard in league history with 76. It was the start of a great career of 1,615 games for the one who played for six teams within the NHL. Although he received no individual awards for his achievements on the ice, he won the Stanley Cup four times during his career, collecting no fewer than 1,216 points.
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