The next four guys in the rankings are very close in my mind right now. I had them in the same tier, but in different spots at many different times this year. This is the order I’m settling on for now; however, I do understand each player’s case for being higher on the list. Quinn Hutson is the eighth-ranked skater in the countdown.

The five-foot-eleven forward spent three years at Boston University before signing with the Edmonton Oilers organization. Each season with the Terriers, Hutson kept getting better.  During his freshman season, the dynamic forward scored 15 goals and finished with 28 points in 39 games, which is an excellent first college season. In Hutson’s second season with Boston University, he played 40 games, scoring 18 goals and finishing with 36 points. However, the season that won NHL teams over and ultimately landed the right-shot winger an entry-level deal was his third and final season. In 38 games, Hutson scored 23 goals and dished out 27 assists.

Hutson played in two NHL games towards the end of the 2024-2025 season, but otherwise his first professional season came during this past campaign, and it was a successful one, to say the least. In 67 games, the former Terrier scored 30 goals and finished with 63 points, finishing second on the Bakersfield Condors. Hutson collected some accolades during the season: he was named to the 2025-2026 AHL All-Rookie Team, made the AHL All-Star Game, and scored the most goals by an AHL rookie. The dynamic forward got in four NHL games and scored his first-ever goal against the Boston Bruins.

The 30-goal man is full of skill. Not only is his shot placement excellent, but his passing ability has stood out many times throughout the season. Under pressure, on the backhand, puck along the wall, there are a ton of passes that Hutson can make. Unlike other prospects we’ve talked about, Hutson can deceive opponents and make his own passing lanes.

Hutson is willing to take on extra pressure if it helps create a passing lane. It’s not just on the power play either; the Condors all-star effectively moves the puck around the ice to teammates, but is also willing to make the risky pass to the slot for a chance. Hutson’s pass accuracy must be high, and he has incredible senses to go with the accuracy. Hutson recognizes what spaces are open around the ice and will put the puck towards those areas. Below is a strong clip that combines all of Hutson’s playmaking strengths into one video.

The 176-pound winger stops up and pulls the puck back, sending the defender to the wall. That bought enough time for the lane to spread wide open to Isaac Howard on the backside. Hutson has a great feel and overall awareness for the game. Watching him stickhandle against opponents can be fascinating at points. I have two videos below that will display what I mean.

Hutson can play with the puck right in front of the defenders because he has such a strong understanding of his range. When the defenders get into that range, he will, more often than not, stop up and give them his back, or Hutson will move the puck to his teammate. Although Hutson does show off strong playmaking tendencies and a great feel for the game, the smooth winger is much more of a volume shooter. Hutson finished the season one shot shy of 200 (2.97 shots per game), and the second on the Condors was Samuel Poulin with 161 shots in four more games played.

Hutson’s shot itself is mechanically sound. The top hand generates a ton of power as he pulls down; instead of a sweeping motion, he uses a strong snap, and his whole body is pointed towards the net. But like his playmaking instincts, Hutson’s goal-scoring instincts stand out just as much.

The first clip is a great example of the benefits of having a high forward in the offensive zone. Hutson gets lost behind the defenders and jumps on a loose puck for a great chance. The next two clips show Hutson filling in the space left open in transition; the Bakersfield sniper recognizes the soft areas of the zone and fills them. One of the more important aspects of Hutson’s game is the trust he has in his teammates to make the right play. This aspect of the game isn’t talked about enough, in my opinion, but more often than not, if you’re a goal scorer, you have to be willing to wait and trust that your teammate can get you the puck. Staying away from everybody is a great way to hide in plain sight.

Hutson can get his feet moving even if his skating stride isn’t perfect. I don’t mind his skating ability at all; he uses linear crossovers on defenders, can change the pace of play, is willing to use both sides of his edges, and can keep a decent amount of pressure on his back. The Condors’ second-year forward can get in on the forecheck and force some turnovers. But I do carry some worries about Hutson when it comes to his all-around two-way game. The feisty winger finished with 84 penalty minutes, ranking second on Bakersfield. I believe there is a competitive nature to how Hutson plays the game, but I don’t see that carry over to the defensive side of the game.

Ultimately, this is the reason why I ranked Hutson eighth for the moment. I don’t think Hutson can play in the top six of an NHL team, but I don’t see him as a bottom-of-the-lineup type of player. Hutson might be one of those many skill guys who are too good for the AHL but can’t make it work in the NHL. If Hutson had a better defensive game, I would like his chances to play way more, and I think there is a way to unlock it in him because of his competitive nature. However, the soon-to-be 25-year-old might just be the player he is at this point, and there isn’t much runway for him to develop anymore.

I could see Hutson playing in some NHL games this upcoming season, but I can also see a world where the AHL all-star spends the full season in the minors. I struggle to see his role on this current iteration of the Oilers’ roster, but a new season brings new injuries, so who knows what could happen. If Hutson sets the AHL on fire this year, then he will deserve a call-up. But I want to see more of a two-way game and less being out of position defensively because I know how smart he is and how vast his understanding of this game is. If he can work on this, maybe he can provide some solid minutes on a fourth line as soon as the end of this season.

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