Sansided
Eyes On Isles
Home/NY Islanders News

New York Islanders 2018 Top Three Free Agent Targets

VANCOUVER, BC - OCTOBER 26: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals during NHL action against the Vancouver Canucks on October, 26, 2017 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - OCTOBER 26: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals during NHL action against the Vancouver Canucks on October, 26, 2017 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
GLENDALE, AZ – MARCH 31: Goaltender Carter Hutton #40 of the St. Louis Blues skates back to the net during a break from the third period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 31, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – MARCH 31: Goaltender Carter Hutton #40 of the St. Louis Blues skates back to the net during a break from the third period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 31, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Carter Hutton | St. Louis Blues

Production: 17-7-3, 2.09 GAA and .931SV%, Last Contract: $1.125 million AAV

Headed to unrestricted free agency is 32-year-old Carter Hutton. A goalie who put up a 2.09GAA and .931SV% in 32 games played this season. Over those 32 games, he had a 17-7-3 record.

How would you as a New York Islanders fan like to have that between the pipes?

There are two issues I can see with Hutton. First is his age. He’ll be 33-years-old in 2018. Signing him to a long-term deal might be good to keep the cap hit down, but what happens in two seasons when he’s 35? Unless he can be the next Roberto Luongo that contract will be a bad one.

Second, he’s been a backup his entire career. To be fair, he’s been a great backup. But a backup none-the-less. Can he actually play the 60 games a starter generally gets? The most he’s played is 40 in a season.

In that 40 game season Hutton put up a 2.62GAA and .910SV%, OK numbers league-wide, but great numbers when compared to the Isles. It’s just that said 40 game season was in 2013-14 for the Nashville Predators. What’s he done recently?

How about playing 62 games over the last two seasons with the St. Louis Blues for a 47-30-15 record. In said 62 games he’s averaged 2.23 GAA and .930SV%. Those are some outstanding numbers. Outstanding enough to give him the reigns. At least in the short-term.

With his age and with the potential for Linus Soderstrom to be ready for the NHL as soon as 2019-20 giving Hutton a two to three-year deal would be perfect. Hutton would get to be a starter, the Islanders would get some goaltending relief now, and Hutton could still technically fit in one last deal. It’s win-win.

facebooktwitterreddit