In a year of restricted free agents for the Winnipeg Jets, the team took care of the first of nine with the extension of goaltender Michael Hutchinson.
Michael Hutchinson’s two-year extension with the #NHLJets carries an AAV of $1.15M.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 21, 2016
Michael Hutchinson Signs Two-Year Extension
The signing carries the same term as the deal he signed back in the summer of 2014 but with just over a $500K pay raise.
Hutchinson was one of three goalies to play 25+ games for the Jets this season behind Ondrej Pavelec, who suffered an injury early in the season that allowed the 26-year old to get regular reps much like the previous season. Unlike 2014-15 where he performed admirably for his first regular stint at the NHL level posting a .914 save percentage (.924 at even strength) winning 21 games in 36 starts, he was pretty average. The entire team took a step back from their playoff season last year finishing 5th from last in the NHL (21 point difference), and Hutchinson could not carry the team by himself in Pavelec’s absence with a .907 save percentage. This led to 23-year old Connor Hellebuyck getting reps and taking the job for a spell, winning 13 of 26 games carrying a .918 save percentage to his name.
Drafted originally by the Boston Bruins in the 3rd round (77th overall) of the 2008 draft, Hutchinson played his junior hockey for the Barrie Colts and London Knights (.919 save % in 120 games). His most successful playoff run at the pro level came with the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps, where in 21 games he shined with a 1.95 GAA and .938 save percentage. He’s part of a trio of young goaltenders in the organization that includes Hellebuyck and 20-year old Eric Comrie, who just finished his first pro season. With one year remaining on the soon-to-be 29-year old Pavelec’s contract, it will be interesting to see how the Jets transition their young goaltenders to the NHL. This deal likely indicates that Hutchinson will be given a two-year window to prove he can take the reigns if the team decides to part ways with Pavelec next summer.
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