Hutchinson added for goaltending depth

The Florida Panthers have a new No. 3 goaltender.

On the first day of NHL free agency on Sunday, the team signed Michael Hutchinson to a one-year, two-way contract to shore up its goaltending depth behind Roberto Luongo and James Reimer. Hutchinson, 28, spent parts of the last five seasons with Winnipeg.

The deal pays Hutchinson $1.3 million in both the NHL and the AHL. Panthers general manager Dale Tallon confirmed Hutchinson would have to pass through waivers to reach AHL affiliate Springfield.

Last season, Hutchinson was one of the best goalies in the AHL for Winnipeg affiliate Manitoba. His .935 save percentage was the second-best among qualified AHL goaltenders. His 2.08 goals against average was ranked third in the league.

“I think he’s a very good goalie and as we saw last year, it takes an army, at least three,” Tallon said. “We felt that he was a really good addition to our depth chart. We like the way he’s played. He’s got a winning record in the NHL and we just think that he gives us more stability and more depth.”

In 102 career NHL games, the right-handed catching Hutchinson has a .910 save percentage and 2.65 GAA.

Hutchinson also suffered two concussions last season and was stuck behind Connor Hellebuyck and Steve Mason on the Jets’ goaltending depth chart. Hutchinson split time with Eric Comrie in Manitoba.

“Last year was an interesting year,” Hutchinson said. “It was frustrating, but at the same time, I had a lot of success, too. There was some good, some bad.”

Hutchinson said he had a few teams offering him deals (but not the Jets), and landed on Florida because “it was a good fit,” and mentioned that he could learn from a veteran like Luongo.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Hutchinson said. “It’s always nice to have a fresh start and I’m just looking to have a good rest of the summer and go into training camp and play well. Hopefully, turn some heads and we’ll see what happens. Obviously, they have two good goaltenders ahead of me. I’m just looking forward to an opportunity.”

Hutchinson replaces Harri Sateri, who signed with Detroit on Sunday. Sateri was also one of the best AHL goalies last year (.927 save percentage ranked third) and helped rescue the Panthers’ season with a four-game winning streak after the All-Star break.

Overall in the NHL, Sateri had a .911 save percentage and 2.92 GAA in nine games with Florida.

Last year, the Panthers signed Sateri to a two-way contract that paid him differently in the NHL than the AHL. Sateri made $750,000 in the NHL. Hutchinson will made almost double that.

“It’s July 1st,” Tallon said. “If you want to get players, you have to pay. That was the process.”