{"id":485329,"date":"2026-03-15T18:00:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T22:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=485329"},"modified":"2026-03-15T18:04:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T22:04:02","slug":"the-washington-capitals-sign-skilled-defenceman-to-elc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/15\/the-washington-capitals-sign-skilled-defenceman-to-elc\/","title":{"rendered":"The Washington Capitals Sign Skilled Defenceman to ELC"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Washington Capitals<\/a> sign a top NHL prospect to his first professional contract today. The defenceman Cole Hutson’s<\/a> entry-level contract is for three years.<\/a>\u00a0Let’s discuss this deal of the Capitals.<\/p>\n

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Credit Image: \u00a9 Steven Garcia\/ZUMA Press Wire<\/p>\n

Washington Capitals Sign Defenceman Cole Hutson to 3-Year ELC<\/h2>\n

Hutson is the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens<\/a> star defenceman Lane Hutson<\/a>, and Quinn Hutson<\/a> of the Edmonton Oilers<\/a> organization. What pedigree the family has inherited. This is a very exciting time. One interesting aspect, and given the alumni, the Boston University can be difficult to give up. But when it is time for the NHL, it is time. There’s only forward.<\/p>\n

As a note, Lane’s dominance is not to understated. Hutson won the Calder Trophy last year, as the league’s top rookie. Through 149 career regular season games, his 134 points are among the most ever as a defenceman.<\/p>\n

Hutson was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the second-round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He was selected 43rd overall, in that year’s draft.<\/p>\n

What Does Hutson Bring?<\/h3>\n

Cole was lighting it up as a defenceman for the Boston University Terriers. 24 goals and 56 assists in two seasons, playing in 74 games for the offensively-gifted defenceman is impressive. Like his brother Lane has done, Cole hopes his aggressive game from the backend pays off. Everyone would love to see his skill translate to the NHL ranks.<\/p>\n

Hutson won a World Junior Hockey Championship Gold Medal, and was awarded key all-star distinctions multiple times. One time at the WJC, and another for the NCAA (East), first-team, all-American. Nice.<\/p>\n

Boston University was just yesterday eliminated by the UConn Huskies of the Hockey East Quarterfinal-round of their playoff tournament. Therefore, teams have been signing players, as early as yesterday.<\/p>\n

The Washington Capitals are still right there in the Stanley Cup Playoff race. However, their trade of John Carlson<\/a> was an indicator towards the known impending changing of the guard. Hutson looks to provide a similar style down the stretch, and see what happens. Solid hockey move.<\/p>\n

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Lane Hutson has been collecting apples at a historic rate to begin his NHL career! \ud83c\udf4e<\/p>\n

Catch the @CanadiensMTL<\/a> vs. @Senators<\/a> TONIGHT at 7:30p ET on @Sportsnet<\/a> or stream on Sportsnet+ pic.twitter.com\/tM5Dnyps0F<\/a><\/p>\n

— NHL (@NHL) March 11, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n