According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Anaheim Ducks are signing defenceman Ben Hutton to a PTO. The move comes just one day after the Ducks lost defenceman Christian Djoos on waivers to the Detroit Red Wings, and two days after they announced defenceman Brendan Guhle would miss six weeks with a knee injury.
Hutton, 27, was drafted in the 5th round, 147th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He's spent five seasons in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks, and Los Angeles Kings. In 341 regular season games, he's put up 86 points (15 G, 71 A), 125 penalty minutes, and is a -70.
Prior to turning pro, Hutton spent three years at the University of Maine. In 108 games, he tallied 65 points (28 G, 37 A), 40 penalty minutes, and was a -5.
Internationally, Hutton has represented Canada on a couple of occasions, most recently at the 2016 IIHF World Hockey Championships. In 5 games, he had 1 point (1 A), 0 penalty minutes, and was a +3 as Canada went on to win gold by defeating Finland in the Final.
It's likely Hutton signs a contract with the Ducks, and it could come as soon as Wednesday, when Anaheim is able to place Brendan Guhle on LTIR. With the top four locked up (Lindholm/Shattenkirk/Fowler/Manson), Hutton will be competing with Jacob Larsson, Jani Hakanpaa, Kodie Curran, Josh Mahura, and Jamie Drysdale for one of the two open spots on the third pair.
Hearing Ben Hutton is joining ANA on a PTO— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 10, 2021
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