The New York Islanders acted fast to shore up their blue line, turning a professional tryout into a full contract for veteran defenseman Ben Hutton. This move comes right after Ryan Pulock went down with an injury and Alex Romanov was ruled out for the season, leaving the team with a serious gap in their defensive rotation. Head coach Pete DeBoer wasted no time evaluating the 33-year-old, knowing he needs reliable bodies to fill the void immediately.
Hutton signed a one-year deal on Thursday, just days after agreeing to a professional tryout agreement on Monday. According to Daily Faceoff, the contract is a one-way NHL deal carrying a pro-rated $900,000 cap hit. The team needed a left-shot defender to pair with righties on the third line after Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the Oilers exposed that specific weakness. DeBoer has known Hutton since their time together with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021-22, which likely sped up the decision-making process.
A Familiar Face in Long Beach
The connection between Hutton and DeBoer goes back to their time in Las Vegas, where Hutton played a key role on a deep defense that won the Stanley Cup in 2023. DeBoer highlighted this history when discussing the signing on Tuesday. “I know the player, I know the person,” DeBoer said of Hutton. He noted that Hutton made himself an important part of that group for four or five years despite facing tough competition for minutes.
DeBoer emphasized that Hutton brings versatility and experience that the current roster desperately needs. “He brings experience. He’s an interesting guy because when I was in Vegas, we picked him up and he made himself an important part of that group for four or five years on a really deep defense and a really good team,” DeBoer explained. He added that Hutton was playing deep into the playoffs last year, proving he can handle high-pressure situations even when buried on the depth chart.
The coaching staff is now focused on getting Hutton up to speed before he sees significant ice time. DeBoer admitted the timeline is tight given the midseason arrival. “He hasn’t taken any real reps with NHL players since training camp. It’s a tough ask to come in midseason like that,” DeBoer said. The team held an optional skate on Thursday morning to assess where Hutton fits, though it remains unclear if he will step into the lineup immediately.
Filling the Penalty Kill Void
Beyond just adding a body to the rotation, Hutton’s arrival strengthens the Islanders’ penalty kill unit, which has been dominant this season. As Thursday began, the Islanders held a top-five league standing thanks to an 86 percent penalty kill success rate. DeBoer remains confident in this group despite the injuries to key defenders. “Not just the defensemen; I think our group of penalty killers is really good, and they have a history of being good here,” DeBoer said.
Hutton’s career stats show he is a reliable depth option who has logged 575 games over 11 seasons. Following his 2012 selection by Vancouver, he played three seasons at the University of Maine prior to turning pro in 2015. He has never played in the AHL since leaving college, showing he has been a regular NHL presence for over a decade.
Hutton himself expressed relief and excitement about finally securing a spot after a rocky start to the season. He had previously signed a PTO with the Ottawa Senators but was released before the season began. “It’s been a whirlwind,” Hutton said regarding the quick turnaround from tryout to contract. He noted that he had a good year last season but nothing came of it, so he kept his work boots on and stayed ready for an opportunity.
The signing puts pressure on Matt Kessel, who currently occupies a bottom-pairing spot alongside Scott Mayfield. Since Hutton is a left-handed defenseman, Kessel’s position seems threatened as the squad seeks to refine the lineup. The Islanders have to find a way to integrate Hutton quickly without disrupting the chemistry that has made their penalty kill so effective.
This is opinion and commentary from the RapForMayor team.
