Ben Hutton is getting a fresh NHL shot as Andrew Campbell and the Ottawa Senators add another experienced option to their blue line.
Ottawa has brought Hutton into training camp on a professional tryout, giving the club a veteran left-shot defenseman without committing a contract or roster spot.
The timing gives the move more weight. With Ottawa dealing with uncertainty on defense, Hutton now gets camp to show he can still handle NHL minutes and push for a depth job.
The 33-year-old also has a local connection. Hutton is from Brockville, Ontario, making this an opportunity much closer to home than most stops over his career.
He isn't arriving without experience. Hutton played 55 games with the Vegas Golden Knights last season and finished with 6 goals and 15 points.
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Ottawa isn't asking him to carry the blue line. The value is in adding competition, defensive experience and another option if injuries force the Senators deeper into their organizational depth.
Ben Hutton gets a real opening in Ottawa
Hutton has appeared in 575 NHL games, producing 30 goals and 139 points. That resume gives Ottawa a much clearer read than it would get from an untested camp invite.
There's also familiarity in his background. Hutton previously played under Travis Green during their time with the Vancouver Canucks, so his game has been evaluated closely by people familiar with his NHL work.
His Stanley Cup experience with Vegas brings another element. Ottawa has been trying to establish higher expectations around its locker room, and Hutton has already been through a championship run.
The PTO keeps the decision simple. Hutton has to earn his place through camp, while Ottawa can evaluate him against its other defensemen without creating an immediate cap or roster commitment.
For Hutton, the path is clear. Strong defensive work, clean puck movement and reliable shifts could turn a training-camp invitation into another NHL contract.
For Ottawa, that's the appeal. A veteran defenseman is available, the commitment is minimal, and an open opportunity on the blue line gives Hutton something real to chase.
Should the Ottawa Senators give Ben Hutton an NHL contract?
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