The Toronto Maple Leafs have brought back a familiar face, signing goaltender Michael Hutchinson to a two-year, two-way contract. The deal will carry an average annual value of $725K at the NHL level, making Hutchinson an inexpensive depth option at what has become a crowded position in Toronto.
Maple Leafs fans will certainly be pulling their hair out reading this news, after Hutchinson was basically run out of town for his poor performance last season. The 30-year-old goaltender posted an .886 save percentage in 15 appearances with the Maple Leafs, going 4-9-1 before eventually being shipped to the Colorado Avalanche. Perhaps it’s Colorado where his stock rose again, as Hutchinson was forced into action for the Avalanche during their postseason run and played admirably.
Though Hutchinson now comes to Toronto as the potential fourth option behind starter Frederik Andersen, backup Jack Campbell, and newcomer Aaron Dell, this move does check off a few boxes for the Maple Leafs. First, and likely foremost, Hutchinson would give the team another option should Dell be claimed on waivers if the team ever decided to send him to the minor leagues. Second, Hutchinson will now actually fill the expansion draft requirement for the Maple Leafs if they decide to leave Andersen unsigned and protect Campbell next year. Every team needs to expose at least one goaltender that is signed through the 2021-22 season, something that Andersen and Dell both do not represent.
If the AHL season goes as planned, it will be interesting to see how the Maple Leafs work out playing time though. Dell and Hutchinson are both veterans who could succeed at the minor league level, but the team also has two prospects in Joseph Woll and Ian Scott that will need seasoning. There is the speculation that the NHL may carry a taxi squad or increased rosters due to the COVID-19 protocols, in which point Dell or Hutchinson would be a strong option as a third traveling goaltender.
Dear god, it’s like this team tries to go out of their way to negatively impact my mental health.
Oh relax. If a 4th stringer goalie signing causes you mental anguish then maybe you’re the problem.
@JANUS – Where Hutchinson goes, injuries follow (to guys above him in the depth chart), so @bhd360’s concern *may* turn out to be more well founded (hopefully not, but…) If that happens, though, they may need more PD presence on bridges in the G.T.A.
should you see a doctor?
@shawn baber – All of the netminders ahead of Hutch in the depth chart need their shots…lots of ’em! :)
your a sound thinker.I enjoy your post
Worthy to note this is a two year deal so he’ll be exposed to the expansion draft. Only reason I can see why he’d be given two years at this point.
And the laughs once again being the laughs… talk about a joke for the minor league goalie position… you have 2 prospects and 2 vets to fight for 2 AHL spots ♂️ Dubas is a d**b@$$ in my opinion…
so Woll and Scott are the only 2 goalie prospects they have. one had a .880 save percentage in the ahl last year and the other didnt play due to injury, this move is 99% to expose a goalie in the expansion draft instead of losing Campbell as freddi and dell are ufa. so tell me again why this is a bad move?
Once Matthews leafs for Arizona (team name pun!!!), and Marner and Freddy get run out of town for reasons beyond my comprehension, you’re going to be grateful to have your boy Hutch. #leafsnation
Minor league depth signing. Exposed for Seattle. No big deal