Edmonton Oilers newest edition Hutson makes NHL debut against Kings

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Quinn Hutson expects to get a crash course in the NHL this week, which is not literally.

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Between Saturday’s NCAA Championship Finals with Boston University on Saturday and made its NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, the 23-year-old Chicago native might feel like he was flying in his well-known pants.

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But hey, at least he’s still airborne, that’ll certainly beat the alternative.

And he was too close to comfortably to find the appearance of the plane when it was causing flames on the plane on his way to Edmonton.

Denver-based 9NEWS reported that United Airlines UA2325 took off from Denver International Airport at 7:21 p.m. Sunday and must be returned to resolve the “possible wildlife strike” of the Boeing 737-600.

“It’s a bit crazy flying here from Denver,” said Montreal Canadiens rookie defenseman Lane Hutson and Washington Tower. “So, urgent landing.” I was a little scared for a second there, but I still did it.

“I’m not (the nervous flyer), I’m usually joking, but that’ll take you. I’ll stop kidding now.”

Although no 153 passengers or six crew members were injured, Hutson did not land in Edmonton until 1 a.m.

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But he smiled after he stood out on his first morning skateboard in the oiler’s outfit, or for someone who lost the last four games of freezing to the Western Michigan Broncos two days ago.

“Obviously, I’m still thinking. It’s awful to lose this far this season, so I guess it’s just a great way to forget it,” he said. “But it’s definitely still in the back of my head.

“Even on that skateboard there was a lot of tension. Very nervous, but it was just part of the game. I wanted to go there, play a safe game, just stick to my usual job.”

Hutson, Hutson, landed in the roster when it was full of casualties, including Captain Connor McDavid, who had just returned from a low injury but back-to-back second half instead of playing three games in four nights.

Add to top defensive players Mattias Ekholm, we just found that the opening playoffs with the Kings, Jake Walman, Troy Stecher and John Klingberg will be unavailable, as well as forwards Leon Draisaitl, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Trent Frederic and Evander Kane and Evander Kane, and a lot of oil sitting on the ice.

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Most importantly, due to salary restrictions, they had to do the King’s 11 and 6 formats.

It is therefore no surprise that the Oilers must return to their skill bags to bring up some cavalry as reinforcements. Not that Hutson is complaining.

“I think it’s just a good place and a great opportunity,” he said. “I think there are a lot of development opportunities here. Obviously, it’s an incredible setup and I’m so happy to get started.”

He not only fills the skates for this. Hutson had the chance to gain some valuable experience in the last two regular seasons before qualifying for playing with the team in the playoffs.

“It’s great to have him here. Unfortunately, all the injured conditions, without our team, we will play forward, but this is a great opportunity for him to play. We need him,” Knoblauch said. “I think he is a very smart hockey player who can adapt and play with anyone.

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“I’m not familiar with his game. I have some scout reports about him, and Stan (GM Bowman, Oiler General Manager) tells me something about him, but I think he’ll play a lot of emotions and he’ll give us some improvement.”

Email: godejong@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @gerrymoddejonge

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