How Capitals prospect Cole Hutson is developing into a top-end playmaker

When predicting the top defenceman at the 2025 World Juniors, few named Cole Hutson, the second-round pick of the Washington Capitals. However, the first-year player has arguably performed the best offensively at the event, creating many of his team’s most memorable plays and scoring seemingly at will.

In hindsight, we should have expected this kind of performance.

Hutson has made a habit of excelling in a Team USA jersey. In his draft year, he recorded 10 points in seven games at the World Championship Under-18 tournament, eight points in four games at the Five Nations, and seven points in three games at both Four Nations tournaments.

Hutson combines deception, precision, and clever moves to create high-danger scoring chances for the USNTDP. He freezes incoming defenders with a pass or shot