The plan between the pipes
Hutchinson returns on a two-year deal but fourth on the goaltending depth chart — GM Dubas is thinking further down the road
Michael Hutchinson has remained positive throughout a hockey career that has taken him through five leagues and 12 cities.
The 30-year-old goaltender from Barrie might not be ready to settle down just yet, even after signing a two-year, twoway deal worth $1.45 million (U.S.) on Friday to return to the Maple Leafs — about nine months after his last game in blue and white.
For now, Hutchinson, who won a pair of playoff games for the Colorado Avalanche before becoming a free agent, gives the Leafs more organizational depth. The same can be said of forward
Joey Anderson, who came to terms with the club less than an hour after the announcement of the goalie’s deal.
The 22-year-old Anderson — the team’s last remaining restricted free agent, acquired from the New Jersey Devils in a cap-clearing trade for Andreas Johnsson — inked a three-year deal with an average annual value of $750,000. It’s a two-way contract for the first two years, reflecting the likelihood that he’ll see at least some time in the American Hockey League with the Marlies early on, with a greater shot at fulltime NHL duty later in the deal — especially in year two, when the Leafs are in line to have up to six forwards heading for unrestricted free agency.
Hutchinson’s route to NHL playing time is less clear.
There are a few possible scenarios for the club’s goaltending in the coming months, with next year’s expansion draft to stock the roster of the Seattle Kraken also a factor.
At the moment, Hutchison is no higher than fourth on the Leafs’ depth chart. Frederik Andersen will return next season as No. 1 in net, with just one year left on his contract and Jack Campbell handling backup duties. Aaron Dell, signed recently after four seasons with the San Jose Sharks, figures to be the first call-up from the Marlies.
But that could change once the season starts, with the NHL targeting a New
Year’s Day launch and the AHL now looking at Feb. 5.
Both Dell and Hutchinson would have to clear waivers to move between the NHL and AHL, at risk of being claimed by another club. Dell is also on a oneyear deal. If he doesn’t re-sign, now the Leafs would still have Hutchinson for another year.
Just as important will be flexibility when it comes to submitting a protected list for the Kraken expansion draft, tentatively set for next summer.
The Leafs will have to expose a goalie who meets the draft eligibility requirements. Andersen, as a pending unre
stricted free agent, would be exempt if he hasn’t signed a contract extension by then. Exposing Hutchinson would then allow them to protect Campbell.
If Andersen does work out a contract extension before reaching unrestricted free agency, the expectation is that the Leafs would protect him, leaving Campbell and Hutchinson exposed.
There has been an unusually high number of veteran goalies available this off-season and
Leafs GM Kyle Dubas has taken advantage, padded out the club’s depth chart at a good price.
Aside from Andersen, wrapping up a five-year deal worth $5 million annually, the Leafs have:
> Campbell signed at $1.65 million
> Dell at $800,000
> Hutchinson at $725,000
> Joseph Woll at $800,000
> Ian Scott at $805,000 Wherever he ends up, Hutchinson will adjust. He was thrust into the No. 1 role last winter after Andersen suffered a neck injury, but won just four of 15 starts (4-9-1, .866 save mark, 3.66 goals-against average). He showed vulnerability on shots to his left side and was placed on waivers on Feb.13, eight days after Dubas acquired Campbell in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings. He cleared waivers and joined the Marlies briefly, before a Feb. 20 trade to Colorado for defenceman Calle Rosen.
There was a reward for Hutchinson after landing with his fourth NHL team. He was called upon in the playoffs in Edmonton after Avalanche No. 1 Philipp Grubauer suffered an injury and backup Pavel Francouz struggled, partly because of an undisclosed injury. Hutchinson responded with wins in games 5 and 6 of the Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars — the first two playoff appearances of his career — but lost Game 7.
For now, he has some rare stability with a two-year deal — and playing time close to his Barrie home — after two seasons on one-year contracts with three different NHL teams, also including the Florida Panthers. What the future holds, time will tell.