Red Wings’ second-round answer to Lane Hutson might be Alex Huang

Lane Hutson set the standard this season in what was a legendary rookie campaign. And in case you need a refresher, Hutson put up 66 points and 60 assists in his first full season with the Montreal Canadiens, exceeding everyone’s wildest expectations. 

Now, there’s another blueliner entering the 2025 draft. One who, while he’s got an advantage in height, standing at six feet, he clocks in at just 161 lbs. Still, he’s the type of player you’d want to see the Detroit Red Wings draft, regardless of his lack of size. 

Draft, and let Alex Huang develop as he takes his talents from the QMJHL’s Chicoutimi Sagueneens to the NCAA’s Harvard Crimson. What always jumped at me about Huang is his playmaking, which has been on display since his junior hockey career commenced. 

In 2023-24, he put up 36 points and 28 helpers across 61 games, before following that up with 40 points and 33 assists in 64 contests. Not bad for a blueliner, and one whose productivity should keep going at full steam when he’s playing in college. 

Alex Huang’s junior hockey career showed immense potential

What amazes me more is that Huang doesn’t turn 18 until July 30th. And as one of the younger prospects in this draft that’s already shown so much potential, he hasn’t even come close to hitting his ceiling. 

He’s got a lot of quickness, and you don’t know where he’s going with the puck until after it lands on a teammate’s stick. Huang’s got that ability to dish the puck in one direction while looking elsewhere, and that’s a gift at the level he’s at. 

And if he can’t dish the puck somewhere else, he’ll just take it himself and skate through a crowd like it’s nothing. It tells me one thing: this kid’s been tough to stop in the QMJHL, he’ll be tough to stop in college and, ultimately, tough to stop in the AHL and NHL. 

Oh, and in case you were wondering, Huang’s a right-handed defenseman, which makes him even more of a luxury. If he’s there when the Red Wings are slated to make a pick in Round 2, then I’d be more than happy to see Steve Yzerman tell his crew to put Huang’s name on the draft card. 

Where would Alex Huang fit with the Red Wings?

Since Huang’s slated to be a second-round pick, I’m drafting and he’s playing out all four years of college hockey. Starting in 2029-30, we’ll see Huang make the next step to the AHL, where he’ll spend a year or two in Grand Rapids if he’s indeed the second-rounder on Saturday. 

This would make him a full-time NHLer starting in the 2031-32 season, and there could easily be a void that needs filled on the blue line at that point. Huang should also have packed on a few more pounds of muscle by then, but without sacrificing his natural talents offensively. 

This could turn him into one of the more exciting offensive defensemen in the league, but only if we practice some patience here. And, considering how well he’s played already leading up to his draft year, that patience will be worth it.