Apr 15, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Ben Hutton (17) warms up before a game against the Seattle Kraken at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
ELMONT, NY — The New York Islanders needed just three days to see what they needed from Ben Hutton, signing the veteran defenseman off his professional tryout (PTO) to a one-year contract for the remainder of the 2026-27 season.
The 33-year-old blueliner spent the last five seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights, winning a Stanley Cup title in 2023 as a depth option. He worked with current Islanders head coach Pete DeBoer during the 2021-22 season.
“I know the player, I know the person,” DeBoer said of Hutton on Tuesday. “He brings experience. He’s an interesting guy because when I was in Vegas, we picked him up and he made himself an important part of that group for four or five years on a really deep defense and a really good team. He’s versatile; he’s experienced. He was playing deep into the playoffs last year. I think the situation there was that he was behind a lot of really good defensemen… I’m really intrigued about what he might be able to bring to our group.”
With the signing, Hutton is immediately available to contribute to a defensive group that has been shorthanded. Alex Romanov is out for the season, and Ryan Pulock recently rejoined the team for practice as he recovers from an upper-body injury.
It has left the Islanders to work with Matt Kessel and Scott Mayfield at the bottom of the lineup, and considering Hutton is a left-handed defenseman, Kessel’s spot appears to be in jeopardy.
Hutton was a fifth-round draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks in 2012. He made his debut three years later and spent four years before brief stints with the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
He joined the Ottawa Senators on a PTO in September, but it did not result in a contract.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Hutton said. “Never really experienced something like this. I’ve been in the league for a little bit of time now. I thought I had a good year [last season], but nothing came of it. I just kept my work boots on and stayed ready, waiting for an opportunity, and here we are now. Gotta make the most of it.”
