Kings sign Ben Hutton

[Telos]

Pretty solid signing. We either got a free draft pick at the deadline or a decent top 4 option to help stopgap for the kids. Who knows, maybe we get someone who can play top 4 for the long term. Happy he fell to us.

 

[lumbergh]

A lot of us theorized that he must be hurting and in fact he has been... I’m talking about Forbort, he hasn’t looked right since his “minor” back procedure... it isn’t looking so minor now but he was really good before that injury.. so now he might be a bottom pairing guy but he’s shown he could have been more

Define “really good.”

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Define “really good.”

I'd say good #4 minute-munching d-man.

Still should not be with Doughty but he's even clearly worse when playing hurt. The last thing a guy with limited abilities needs is a back injury...

 

[Fishhead]

It's not just crappy culture, it's playing against men who will destroy kids that aren't ready for it.

Totally. But that's an entirely different thing. If someone like Anderson doesn't look ready, he shouldn't be up. But if Anderson shows he's ready to handle it, having some shitheads on the team shouldn't keep him in the A.

 

[kings11]

Define “really good.”

Really good defensively, top 4(#4) but not a DD partner good. The guy is a shutdown type that needs another similar player like when he was paired with Gravel in Manchester then Ontario...
Two seasons ago heading into the playoff series versus the VGK, he was starting to look good again then he hurt himself and hasnt looked good since.. If he was a RHD i'd say keep him but with kids like Clague, Anderson and Bjornfot looking like they'll be ready sooner than expected, I think it's likley time to move on. I still like Forbort for a #5/#6 spot but nothing more at this point...

 

[regulate]

Another angle on this is feasible too, if Hutton does well and they talk extension (or even if they don't, still gives them a body on the left side), Martinez could be in play at the deadline. A veteran clutch cup performer with one full year left after this season at a reasonable CAP hit could fetch an decent asset at the deadline. Not as much as Muzz, but something decent. May depend on Hutton's play, Forbort's health and whether or not they talk extension with him, and the development of Bjornfot and Anderson (both will be fast tracked IMHO) because they look good.

 

[Bankerguy]

Canucks fan chiming in.

He's a solid no.5 on an average or good team. top4 guy on a weaker team.

He's a minute cruncher. good size and skating. Not s tough guy but not soft. good for the room.

Dmen with his size and skating always leave me wanting more.. i had high hopes for him.

He'll fit in well with you guys. fresh start

 

[Lt Dan]

Canucks fan chiming in.

He's a solid no.5 on an average or good team. top4 guy on a weaker team.

He's a minute cruncher. good size and skating. Not s tough guy but not soft. good for the room.

Dmen with his size and skating always leave me wanting more.. i had high hopes for him.

He'll fit in well with you guys. fresh start

So a #3 with us

 

[DoktorJeep]

Awesome, the Kings excel at playing #5 dmen with their #1 dman.

 

[Kingspiracy]

I saw someone type "Hen Button" and now I can't unthink that.

I keep thinking mutton dressed up as lamb

 

[Mats26]

With Hutton we have 8 UFAs. Should be another active selling TDL for us.

 

[Statto]

see i disagree with not calling him an NHL defenseman, that's not to say i think he's a top pairing guy i just think he's been given VERY limited use in some really awful deployments under some of the worst coaches we've had so its not fair to be like oh man, this guy's a plug send him down. and we don't have a greene or regehr, that's part of the problem imo

give him a legitimate shot at holding a 3rd pairing slot and go from there.. he's paid his dues

If he earns the spot outright then I’d happily live with that. If it’s a case in sending down someone equal but with more upside just because they are waiver exempt and MacD isn’t, then I’d have a problem. Although, I certainly wouldn’t disrespect him by calling him a plug.

I’ve seen some of the glimpses that were there, showing a potential NHL d-man and 2 years ago I wanted him to be given a proper shot. But that was then. I feel he’s missed his chance probably unfairly and things have moved on. If he proves me wrong I’m delighted though.

 

[Statto]

It's not just crappy culture, it's playing against men who will destroy kids that aren't ready for it.

Agreed. We can take on one of the young guys on opening night as you can manage minutes and exposure game by game to deal with different scenarios, but if we have too many prospects exposed you cannot manage things properly and they all get screwed up. We need serviceable bodies to make sure the kids are integrated properly.

 

[Bandit]

Another angle on this is feasible too, if Hutton does well and they talk extension (or even if they don't, still gives them a body on the left side), Martinez could be in play at the deadline. A veteran clutch cup performer with one full year left after this season at a reasonable CAP hit could fetch an decent asset at the deadline. Not as much as Muzz, but something decent. May depend on Hutton's play, Forbort's health and whether or not they talk extension with him, and the development of Bjornfot and Anderson (both will be fast tracked IMHO) because they look good.

Maybe, but Martinez is a 2x Stanley Cup champ while Hutton is just a Barbie girl living in a Barbie world...