New York Islanders Offseason Plan If John Tavares Leaves (Competitive)

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TORONTO,ON – JANUARY 16: Carter Hutton #40 of the St.Louis Blues warms up prior to playing against the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on January 16, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Gety Images) /

Sign Carter Hutton: Two-Years $6 million ($3 million AAV)

The Islanders goalie situation was brutally bad in 2017-2018. Neither Jaroslav Halak or Thomas Greiss was good enough in net, and the Islanders suffered because of it. Halak played in 54 games and had a .908 save percentage with a 3.19 goals against average.

Greiss was much worse, in 27 games he had an .892 save percentage and a 3.82 goals against average. Halak’s a UFA, and likely gone, and Thomas Greiss is under contract for two more years so clearly, they’re going to need an upgrade in net.

That’s where Carter Hutton can come in. He’s done a nice job serving as the St. Louis Blues backup for the last two seasons. When given the chance Hutton has shined.

Last year in 32 games he had a .931 save percentage and a 2.09 goals against average. It was by far the best year of his career as he had a .731 quality start percentage and a 15.09 goals saved above average as well.

Hutton is a UFA and at 32 years old he’s not a long-term answer, but he is an upgrade until Soderstrom is ready to take over in a few years. If he puts up similar numbers to what he did in St. Louis and Greiss returns to form that’s not a terrible goalie duo with an improved defense in front of them.