The Ottawa Senators have brought veteran blue liner Ben Hutton into training camp on a professional tryout contract, adding depth on defence while two regulars work their way back from injury.
Filling a gap on the blue line
Hutton, 33, was brought in after defenceman Artem Zub and forward Warren Foegele were ruled out for the start of training camp. Zub is dealing with a lower-body injury that already kept him sidelined for the final three games of last season's playoffs. Senators head coach Travis Green said both players are expected to return within the next two weeks, which gives Hutton a window to make an impression before camp roster decisions firm up.
The move lines up with what general manager Steve Staios had already signalled. Staios had told media the team would pursue PTO contracts if concerns around Zub's injury carried into training camp, and that is exactly what happened.
A familiar face for Travis Green
Hutton isn't walking into a completely new setup. He played under Green during Green's time behind the bench with the Vancouver Canucks, giving the two a working relationship that predates this camp invite. Hutton was a fifth-round pick of the Canucks back in 2012, the organization where his NHL career began.
He's also a Brockville, Ontario native, which puts a local hook on the signing for eastern Ontario hockey fans. Hutton spent the previous five seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights and won a Stanley Cup with the club during that stretch.
What he brings to camp
Hutton's numbers from last season give the Senators a reasonable gauge of what he can still offer. He appeared in 55 games with Vegas, posting six goals and 15 points, and added one assist in seven playoff games. For his career, he has 30 goals and 109 points across 575 games, having played for Vancouver, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Toronto and Vegas.
That resume points to a puck-moving defenceman who can still contribute offensively from the back end, exactly the kind of depth piece a team wants on a tryout when injuries hit before the season starts.
What it means for the Senators
A PTO carries no long-term commitment for Ottawa. It lets the team evaluate Hutton in practices and preseason games without touching the roster crunch that comes with a full contract. If Zub and Foegele return on Green's timeline, over the next two weeks, Hutton's camp look may simply be a short-term audition. But if either injury lingers, his experience and his history with Green could make him a candidate for a depth deal once the Senators finalize their opening-night roster.
For now, Ottawa fans watching camp battles have a new, well-travelled name to track on the back end, one with a Stanley Cup ring and a connection to the coach making the roster calls.
Sources: TSN, Pro Hockey Rumors
