Imagine the thrill and anxiety of stepping into a new chapter in your life—this is precisely how Cole Hutson feels about potentially joining the Washington Capitals. The 19-year-old defenseman, who many consider the top prospect not just in the Capitals' organization but throughout the NHL, finds himself at a pivotal moment in his career as he plays his sophomore season at Boston University. Selected by the Capitals in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft, Hutson's journey is just beginning.
As the 2025-26 season draws to a close, Hutson will face a significant decision: whether to sign a three-year entry-level contract with the Capitals. This choice would mean leaving college hockey behind and embarking on a professional career with the team. While he has previously expressed that he is not in a hurry to end his collegiate experience, Hutson recently shared his thoughts about the possibility of making the leap in an exclusive interview with RG’s Marco D’Amico, hinting at both excitement and nerves about such a move.
Hutson conveyed, "If I’m lucky enough to get to that point, signing and joining Washington, I’ll be super excited but probably super nervous too." He noted that those nerves often bring out the best in him, igniting a sense of determination and confidence that fuels his performance.
So far this season at Boston University, Hutson has been impressive, accumulating 20 points from seven goals and thirteen assists in just 18 games, which places him at the forefront of the No. 19-ranked Terriers. As one of the team’s alternate captains, he is a strong contender for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, which honors the nation’s top collegiate player at the end of the season.
Last year, as a standout freshman, Hutson achieved remarkable success, finishing with 48 points—14 goals and 34 assists—in 39 games, leading all freshmen in scoring. His exceptional performance earned him the 2025 Tim Taylor Award, recognizing him as the NCAA Rookie of the Year.
Additionally, during the 2024-25 season, Hutson played an integral role in Team USA's gold medal victory at the 2025 World Juniors, where he collaborated with fellow Capitals prospect Ryan Leonard. Despite Leonard now being part of the NHL roster with the Capitals, the two have maintained a strong friendship, communicating almost daily. Hutson mentioned, "Me and him text pretty much every day. We’re pretty close off the ice. I checked in when he got hurt, and he gives me an inside scoop on what the pro life is like."
Hutson also revealed that he’s not just hearing from Leonard; several players and staff members from the Capitals regularly reach out to him. He explained, "Players on the team just randomly text sometimes to check in. Someone from the staff or players reaches out every day or every other day. It shows the kind of organization they’ve built. It’s a lot of pressure, but good pressure. They trust you not to let the culture dip. That’s really cool and super exciting."
The Capitals have experienced a similar transition with Leonard over the past two seasons. After initially declining their attempts to sign him following his freshman year at Boston College, he ultimately joined the Capitals after his sophomore season and participated in 17 games during the regular season and playoffs at the end of the 2024-25 season.
General manager Chris Patrick noted the parallels between Hutson’s situation and Leonard’s during the recent Capitals Development Camp. He remained optimistic despite Hutson’s comments about being willing to extend his time at BU until he feels ready for the jump to the NHL. "It feels like Leonard part two here," Patrick remarked. "We’ll kind of give him space. I know he’s got some goals this year for what he wants to do at BU. And then once his season’s done, we’ll put the push on."
The Capitals clearly see tremendous potential in Hutson, viewing him as a key element of their future strategy. This high regard for his talent may have even played a role in halting recent trade discussions with the Vancouver Canucks regarding star defenseman Quinn Hughes, as it’s believed that the Canucks insisted on Hutson’s inclusion in any potential deal.
