Rumor: Ben Hutton close to signing, Kings are interested

[Mick Jagr]

The Ben Hutton sweepstakes have begun!

 

[Marcel]

Keep in mind that Ben Hutton was chained to the boat anchor of Erik Gudbranson for a good portion of the last few seasons, and when freed from EG was much more effective. Definitely worth taking a flyer on.

Considering that Gudbranson's game picked up in Pittsburgh, you might have that backwards.

Hutton is a 5/6 defense man who struggles when moved higher up in the line up, question is what do you want in that 5/6 spot? A finesse or a physical player?

I would think most teams are looking for more of a physical style of play in that spot which isn't Hutton's game.

Playing him in the 3/4 spot and asking him to produce offensively is when he gets into trouble.

 

[LaVal]

Considering that Gudbranson's game picked up in Pittsburgh, you might have that backwards.

Shocking he looked like a much better player on a team that went 12-4-4 since acquiring him, and on a division winning Florida team before coming to Vancouver. It makes a difference when your team always has the puck rather than being locked in your own zone for 2/3rd's of the game.

Hutton when paired with Gudbranson 2017-2019:
42.91 CF%
39.47 SCF%
32.84 GF%

Hutton when not paired with Gudbranson 2017-2019:
50.55 CF%
49.77 SCF%
50.59 GF%

Now maybe Gudbrason has found a place where is a valuable player and that would be great. However, in Vancouver he was a strong contender for the worst defensemen in the NHL.

 

[BringTheReign]

Can Forbort play top 4 minutes on a contending team?

As the 4th defenseman in a shutdown role? Perhaps. Where he's at right now as a boat anchor to Doughty on the 1st pairing, nope.

 

[Rorschach]

Why not try and get the the better LHD in Gardiner

I bet JD is asking for a NMC of some sort. LA wants the flexibility to trade a guy at the deadline for a future.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

My worry is where we stash him. As alluded to we have a million contracts and a million middling LHD. And with Forbort out a bit with a beat up back, the worry is who is Drew's partner...if we somehow start the season with a Doughty-Hutton top pairing I might break my keyboard earlier than expected.

Edit: don't get me wrong having Forbort as Drew's partner is STILL a huge stupid miscast, guy needs to be on a not top pairing anywhere.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Doesn't look like it's happening but I want him in Tor, the Leafs need to fix their bottom pair.

We know the Leafs were interested because it came out that Toronto and Vancouver came close to a deal before the RFA qualifying deadline