PTO: [NJD] G Michael Hutchinson signs PTO with the Devils

[Mrfenn92]

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[SEALBound]

Good Askarov alternative.

 

[Brodeur]

Team is starting the regular season in Czechia, so probably not the worst idea to have Hutchinson as a warm body PTO goalie as an option for the last couple preseason games.

 

[Stephen]

Hutch seems like a really nice teammate and good person and I can see a Keefe connection there but man when things go wrong for him, you wonder why any NHL team even bothers. He can be so unplayable and shaky.

 

[HBK27]

Devils final 3 or so preseason games will be played purely by AHL players and prospects anyway as the big club will be in Prague getting ready for the regular season opener.

Not sure how strict (or if at all) the NHL will enforce the veteran rule for those preseason games given the circumstances, but this would help in that aspect. Can't see any way he'd be signed by NJ as they are already set on goalies for both the NHL (Markstrom / Allen) and AHL (Daws / Poulter) levels.

 

[Brodeur]

Last year it looked like the NHL gave LA some leniency with the preseason veteran rule since they sent most of their A-team to Australia early in last year's preseason. In 2018, the Devils opened the regular season in Sweden but it looks like they did meet the 8 vet minimum in those preseason games.

It's not a strenuous schedule, but having a guy like Hutchinson could potentially save a vet that round trip flight to Montreal.

9/22: vs NYI
9/24: @ MON
9/25: WSH
9/27: @ NYI
9/30: NYR
10/1: @ NYR
10/3: @ PHI

Not sure when the team plans to fly the A-team to Czechia, but probably a safe bet that they're sending the B-team for those final two preseason games.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Yeah I would think the send-off for the guys on the big club would be the home preseason game vs the Rags on the 30th.

 

[banks]

Hutch is a pro. Great guy to bring in for preseason to get hit with some pucks and stay on the ice late with the prospects.

I don't think Jersey needs the depth, based on the posts in this thread. But every team should have a goalie like Hutch stashed in the AHL. Someone who has NHL experience and can start a game in a pinch, but will most likely plug away on the bus without a second thought.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Provides a right-handed catcher for training camp and a veteran for the pre-season. Tough to see him earning more than an AHL deal.