The passage above is from the book ‘On the Clock” and is describing Fernando Pisani’s time at Providence College. His fine two-way play, which included productive offensive numbers, formed the foundation of his pro career. Fernando would arrive in the AHL, score a little, then score more than expected. He did the same in the NHL, all the while providing two-way excellence, offering the coach an on-ice mentor for various linemates, and scoring one of the most famous goals in Oilers history.
I believe Quinn Hutson has some things in his resume that connect him to Pisani. He built a reputation in college as a strong two-way winger with average offense. From Dobber Prospects: A responsible, fast-paced winger with good defensive instincts, he is an above-average skater with an excellent set of hands and a pro-level shot. Unlike his younger brothers Cole and Lane, he has limited upside but could become a valuable bottom-six forward. That’s a solid skill set for a new pro, who is also 23 and has about two seasons to show his worth to the organization. Motivation shouldn’t be an issue.
Reporting on Pisani during his college and early pro seasons was similar. He was heavily recruited (ranked No. 8 college recruit according to The Hockey News) and landed with the button-down Providence Friars. An hellacious scorer in the AJHL, Pisani put his work boots on and scored at a solid rate during his four college seasons: 0.86 (freshman); 0.94 (sophomore); 1.34 (junior) and 1.00 (senior). He would play on a big college line, and also had impressive AHL success on a line with Jason Chimera and Brian Swanson.
Hutson’s three college seasons in points-game script: 0.72 (freshman); 0.90 (sophomore) and 1.32 (junior), the final year a direct match with Pisani 20 years previously. Both played in Hockey-East, both men were among the top scorers on their respective teams.
On the day he signed his contract, Hutson was 23 years, 3 months and 12 days old. On the day Pisani was headed for pro hockey (I’m using April 14 for both men, that was Hutson’s signing date this year and I don’t know when Pisani was signed to a pro deal) he was 23 years, 3 months and 17 days old.
Pisani took most of three seasons to arrive in the NHL, and was a shy scorer in his first year in the AHL. By seasons, his AHL points-game went 0.48, 0.76 and then 0.78 before his NHL recall. One of the reasons Pisani stayed with the Hamilton Bulldogs so long had to do with the Oilers depth chart. It was full of young right-wingers with solid NHL futures.
In the 2002-03 season, the year Pisani made the NHL for the first time (and also for good), the NHL depth chart on opening night was Anson Carter, Ales Hemsky, Daniel Cleary and Georges Laraque. The Hamilton Bulldogs roster was a shared one, with several Montreal Canadiens kids (Michael Ryder on RW was an AHL star, Jason Ward led the team in scoring) and iirc Jani Rita was on RW for the team that season as well. Pisani had to punch holes in the wall just to get AHL playing time, and he was top drawer when he got on the ice.
Hutson hasn’t proven anything at the pro level, and there is some downbeat verbal on him. The same Dobber article mentioned above states “perhaps Quinn has unlocked the offensive potential that his brothers’ have shown earlier in their career, as his 1.38 points per game puts him 69th in that metric in the NCAA since 2009, but the only players of note to make the NHL who have bested this mark at 22 or older are Zach Hyman and Zach Aston-Reese.”
I look at the Oilers current RW depth chart and see these names (in order) entering camp: Zach Hyman (if healthy), Matt Savoie, Trent Frederic, Kasperi Kapanen, David Tomasek, Roby Jarventie (he can play either wing), Matvey Petrov, Hutson, James Stefan. I don’t see a major hurdle between Kapanen and Hutson. Seriously. Jarventie could emerge as an NHL player, he certainly has the talent, but he and Hutson aren’t applying for the same jobs. Same goes for Savoie. He has impressive two-way ability, but his skill set allows for a more prominent audition.
The two-way wingers on this list are Frederic (although not his strength) and Hutson. By 2006, Pisani was on a searing playoff line with Michael Peca and Raffi Torres, scoring the goal of the century in Raleigh and on his way to the legendary status he now enjoys among Oilers fans.
It would be foolish to predict the same for Hutson. What we can say is that both men delivered similar results at their college peak, turned pro at the same age, and entered the AHL talent pool as middle-six wingers. The biggest difference I see is opportunity. Pisani had to wait for Daniel Cleary to stumble momentarily in order to make the NHL. Hutson, it seems to me, has a far easier path if he can stand and deliver in Bakersfield, USA.
Oilers management has a chance to shine with McDavid contract negotiations
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6586029/2025/08/31/oilers-management-bowman-mcdavid-negotiations/
I liked what I saw from Hutson, especially given the circumstances. Very interested to see how he looks at camp, with serious jobs on the line and a clearer path into the next year ahead of him.
Many think the lineup is basically set, which was a mistake last year. I see this as likely the most intense and competitive group in some time, especially at forward. They need a PTO goalie and D at minimum to stir the pot, then they’ll have the right amount of productive energy to open the season rocking.
quinn Hutson is essentially a free lottery ticket. Once in a blue moon it pays out with a late bloomer but just like Brogan Rafferty probably interesting to talk about but looks good because he’s so much older than everyone
Hutson will be knocking on the door next year after a full year in the AHL. Next year the depth chart at RW will still include Hyman, Savoie and Maxim Berezkin. Competition is a good thing!
Berezkin telling the public his dream is the NHL, he’s working towards that goal and planning to come over for next season was the best news of August!
I am not sure Pisani is a good comparable for Hutson. Pisani was 6’1” and 205 lbs. Hutson is 5’11” 170 lbs. Not a lot of bottom 6, 2-way wingers in that range. Hutson will have less reach, take up less space in the lane and not intimidate anyone on the forecheck. If he makes it, it is more likely because his offense translates well enough to the bigs without giving up a whole bunch the other way.
Pisani had a decent 03/04, but he, like several others, had a breakout career offense year and got paid for it playing with Pronger for 1 season and a long playoff run.
Pisani did enough other things without the offense in most seasons he was a solid NHL player whose career was shortened by injury. I don’t think Hutson is likely to do those other things well enough to forge an NHL career without offense as his main calling card.
That’s how I see it. He’s a good hockey player, but those aren’t in short supply, players that can be good in the NHL are
For me small players have to be top end skaters and be top end offensively, or what’s the point? They are trying to make the Condors deep and skilled, needed more talent in the system, but his chances are very low based on how few 170lb NHL players there are. Lane is smaller, but meets the skating and offense side
Mattias Janmark still in Europe I see.
I believe captain skates start very very soon and Janny must/should realize his roster spot is not a lock coming in to this season.
Drai is in Edmonton, the rest of the Europeans should maybe follow suit!
Just my opinion.
Until Janmark actually misses optional practice skates, his personal travel plans or whereabouts are none of your business. Even then he may have mitigating circumstances, which are also likely none of your business, as to why he will not have arrived yet. And none of it reflects on his commitment to this team.
You are certainly 100% correct – he doesn’t have to show up until day 1 of camp, for sure, and I was in no way questioning his commitment to the team.
I am simply looking at a veteran player who’s roster spot is no longer written in pen (and, in fact, given some verbal from the top insider and employee of the team, he’s on the outside looking in) and wondering what position’s himself the best for a great camp beating out his legit competition.
This is a great write up and, likely for many, a sobering take on Hutson.
I have been very tentative to place Hutson any more than a distant bell – I equate his NCAA breakout to a 20-year old overage season in junior – that is I put very little stock in to it. I personally wasn’t overly impressed with Hutson’s cup of coffee in the NHL but that’s meaningless really.
The 2-way game and what not could create an NHL career for this guy in due course but some project him “in the conversation” this season and I think, like Pisani, if he ever makes it, it’ll take some time.
He’s a distant bell to me but, then again, so was Fernando Piasani at the same stage, right?
I know Hutson played just two games with the Oilers after signing late in the year and hardly touched the puck so it’s hard to evaluate him from that. The one thing that surprises me a bit is that I’ve seen a few scouting reports mentioning he is an above average skater. I didn’t see that at all in his two games, in fact the one thing I remember thinking about him was he looked slow out there. Maybe being a bit overwhelmed by the speed of the game didn’t allow him to show well? Can anyone confirm how he looked speed wise in the Bake?
If he ends up being comparable to Pisani, that’s a hell of a result
He didn’t play in Bakersfield. NHL Edge has his straightaway speed at well below 50 percent, but the same is so small I don’t belive we can trust it.
https://edge.nhl.com/en/skater/20242025-regular-8485511
Thanks for the response. Yes, hard to make any definitive statements on him from that small sample. Look forward to watching him this season
It would appear we saw the same thing.
He looked in awe under the bright lights, can’t blame him really.
I figure how he shows this year will be a much better indicator of what he can bring.
It would be fantastic if Hutson kicked out the jams on Bako this season. There are a lot of good potential players there & the team should have a better developmental season. Hutson would be a big part of that if he makes a strong jump to pro.
I assume Hutson and his agent choose signing with the Oilers because we are so weak in the prospect pool and they see a path to the NHL in the next few years.
Yup
I can’t wait to watch Bako this season!
I’d watch out for Matt Copponi, Hutson’s BU teammate that is 18 months younger, to earn himself an NHL contract during the course of the season
It is nice to have an AHL team who looks like they have some quality & could provide a legitimate path for prospects to move up.
That is actually the nicest thing in my mind about a strong minor team, is the hope it gives to guys who want to make the NHL.
The Oilers may have a league bottom “prospect pool” but, at the same time, they have lots of intriguing young career players (if not super young) that are freshly turning pro or transitioning to pro in North America – mostly distant bells but some decent bets – just need one or two to “pop” and becoming a roster, or even middle of the roster, player over the next few years.
Who do you think will be on PP-1 and PP -2 I’m assuming Leppanen will QB PP-1 with big skilled body Samanaski on it as well. Does Chaulk give his 2nd PP-2 the traditional minutes unlike the big club? Also I’m guessing Akey will QB PP 2 unless of course he goes with 2 D men on PP-1. I’m not trying to annoy you with all the questions I have no idea how to find any information on the farm squad with you seeming to have a accurate take on the club as well as some scuttlebutt.
To answer the second question first, yes, PP2 gets legit time – a more normal split.
I presume Leppanen will be on PP1 but, of course, he’s brand new to North America so who knows if he’ll be “eased in”.
I’m not so sure that Akey will see PP time early – this is a 20-year old rookie pro d-man – he’ll likely have a real adjustment period transitioning to the pro game.
Carfagna, Dineen and Regula likely start on the PP ahead of Akey.
Howard should be a lock on PP1 – just kidding, I do think he’ll be in the NHL.
Jarventie and Hutson should be locks on PP1 and, to be honest, probably Griffith. Chaulk kept putting him out there last season, really relied on him on PP1. Truth be told he did lead the AHL in assists and was one point behind leading the league in scoring.
Hamblin will also be worked in on PP, hopefully PP2.
I do think Howard-Frederic will be on PP 1 for at least the 1st month as Hyman is still recovering. Howard is walking into a dream scenario and his youthful exuberance will be contagious. If Jarventie can be a point a game player in Bakersfield I think he’ll get the call by Christmas or earlier depending on injuries and if Tomasek is a fit.
If Hyman is out, I do expect Frederic to get the first PP1 shot but I think Mangiapane and Henrique will both be ahead of Howard early based on prior usage. Of course, new PP bench bosh and, for all we know, Howard is just sniping early and gets a shot but he’s not replacing Nuge on the PP, that I am confident in.