Oilers coach called out for harsh benching, going against GM Bowman

When Quinn Hutson was signed by the Oilers, it was primarily for his offensive skill-set and his ability to produce points, as he'd done in his junior years with Boston University, and is doing this year in the AHL.

Quinn Hutson drives offense, and plays top-minutes, on his team's top-line. It's how he's able to produce and when he is at his best.

Now, to place him in a bottom-six defensive role, with limited minutes and paired with defensive-minded players...well, you get the picture.

That is not to say, of course, that Hutson is above playing in a bottom-six role, and that it's a given he should be paired with McDavid in his first NHL game this regular season.

Not at all. Quinn Hutson must earn his minutes and show that he is capable of playing in the big-leagues. But, he must also be placed in a position in which he can succeed, with players that compliment his skills and style.

Mattias Janmark last night played more than double of Hutson's ice-time, 15:56 compared to 6:59. Perhaps those roles should have been reversed.

I can say with almost-certainty that Oilers' GM Stan Bowman would like to have seen Quinn in the position for which he was scouted and signed.

Hutson becomes an RFA at the end of this season. It would be a shame if we didn't get an opportunity to see what he can do, if given the chance in the right position.