Hutton latest young Canuck to get Green’s tough love
GLENDALE, Arizona — Ben Hutton was on autopilot Saturday.
The normally talkative and jovial Vancouver Canucks defenceman repeated the same staid phrases — working hard and waiting for his opportunity — to address being scratched the last four games and seven times in the previous 15 and having coach Travis Green question his focus.
“I’m frustrated,” said Hutton. “I want to be in the lineup and play. With that being said, I’ve got to come to the rink and be a good teammate and continue to work hard.”
All this has led to speculation of a disconnect with Green and that the 24-year-old blueliner would request a trade, or at least welcome one before the National Hockey League deadline on Monday. Hutton stressed there’s no validity to either assumption.
You usually showcase a player you’re thinking of trading or you have little contact with someone who’s not a part of the future. Hutton isn’t playing but staying is his preferred career choice.
“We’ve had a lot of conversations,” Hutton said of Green.
“I feel anyone who takes the time to talk to you — whether they’re easy or hard on you — they want the most out of you. It would be worse if he didn’t say anything to me.”
What Green is saying is that not only has Hutton’s game dropped off in 18:56 of average ice time, his commitment to being a consummate professional has to become his primary focus. In that respect, it’s no different than the tough love Green dispensed on Jake Virtanen, who’s starting to show his true NHL potential after spending most of last season in the AHL.
Virtanen is fitter, stronger, faster and processing the game better. You can’t say that about Hutton, because as another thirdyear pro playing a tough position, everybody knows his name and his game. Teams play Hutton harder. They make it difficult for him to defend and transition and that means his strength, speed and smarts need to improve.
“Once they get to know your tendencies, that’s definitely a factor,” agreed Hutton. “It’s a lot tougher mentally but just another battle I have to face and just attack it. I’ve had a couple of good years here. Everyone faces adversity and I’m going through it right now and get over that hump.”
Green contends that nothing has changed in his view of Hutton. He still believes a guy who finished second in assists (24) and third in points (25) among rookie blueliners in 2015-16 still has an offensive upside, even though he doesn’t play the power play and has but six assists in 50 games.
However, 11 scratches this season say something is amiss on and off the ice. Hutton hasn’t played since Feb. 14 against Florida.
“It’s doing everything you can to play your best hockey in practice or a game,” added Green. “It’s a fine line when he’s playing good and not. His play hasn’t been as good as it was at a certain point in the year. It dipped a bit, but it hasn’t gone down in the dumps. There are certain things I want and he knows exactly what they are, and when that happens he will play.
“For me, with the young guys, it’s not all about what you’re doing in games. It’s becoming a great pro and we need to get him re-focused. I still have high hopes. I think he’s going through some adversity. He’s a young D-man learning his way. He’s going to be fine.”