Hutchinson and Binnington Impressive in AHL

[The Comish]

The Jets Michael Hutchinson has played extremely well with the Manitoba Moose so far this season. He's 14-2-2 with a 1.77 goals-against average (2nd to Jordan Binnington's 1.59) and league leading 0.947 save percentage.

In his first season for the Providence Bruins, Jordan Binnington has exceptional numbers, 9-1-1 with a league leading 1.59 goals-against average and 0.938 save percentage (2nd to Hutchinson).

I picked up Hutchinson in two and Binnington in one of my deeper dynasty leagues where goaltending is desperately critical - even back ups are worth something. I am hoping that Hutchinson will get traded to a team that might take a chance on him to be their back up or at least to push for back up status. He will be UFA at the end of the season, but has no real bargaining power - "oh, you did great in the AHL, that's nice".

I'm not really expecting anything until next season. Mining the AHL for high performing goaltending is how I lucked into Matt Murray.

[stevegamer]

Hutchinson was a better option to back up Hellebuyck than Mason, but they wanted a #1 where Hellebuyck could be the #2. I thin he will get moved, but he needs to take the next step really soon to be a starter in the NHL. He's 27, and hasn't had an above average NHL season yet.

[butch]

if the return is minimal then I'd suggest the jets just keep hutch as insurance toward an injury to helley or mason .

I realize they have Comrie too .

[Jouko-Pouko]

The Blues goalie prospects (Binnington and Husso) are really hurt by the fact that the Blues don't have their own AHL team. They're both playing the backup role despite superior numbers. The Blues seem to be higher on Husso than Binnington but that could easily change.

Hutchinson is probably good enough to play backup in the NHL now while Binnington could get there as well. They're already 27 and 24, so I wouldn't expect either one to become starting goalies in the NHL - their track record just isn't impressive enough for that.

[Axeman33]

if the return is minimal then I'd suggest the jets just keep hutch as insurance toward an injury to helley or mason .

I realize they have Comrie too .

This is the reason I think they trade Hutchinson. Hutch is playing great and all but he's also hampering Comrie's development.

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The Blues goalie prospects (Binnington and Husso) are really hurt by the fact that the Blues don't have their own AHL team. They're both playing the backup role despite superior numbers. The Blues seem to be higher on Husso than Binnington but that could easily change.

Hutchinson is probably good enough to play backup in the NHL now while Binnington could get there as well. They're already 27 and 24, so I wouldn't expect either one to become starting goalies in the NHL - their track record just isn't impressive enough for that.

24 years old and still in the AHL isn't out of the question as far as getting to the NHL as a starter. I am not sure he's good enough to be one, but his age isn't the issue, it's getting the NHL opportunity for more than a game or two that's the issue with Binnington.

[Jouko-Pouko]

24 years old and still in the AHL isn't out of the question as far as getting to the NHL as a starter. I am not sure he's good enough to be one, but his age isn't the issue, it's getting the NHL opportunity for more than a game or two that's the issue with Binnington.

His age and being in the AHL are not issues, it's what he did the past few years. If he was going to become a starter, his track record should look much better. I'm going to trust his previous 120 AHL games more than this 11 game stretch. His rookie season in the ECHL and his rookie season in the AHL were good but he was not good for two full years after that.

[Axeman33]

I agree, that's why I said I didn't think he was good enough. His age isn't the issue. A lot of guys don't even start to hit their stride until they get to that 25-27 years of age and Binnington isn't there yet.

Hutchinson has already shown he can play in the NHL but I dont think he's starter material.

[Jouko-Pouko]

I agree, that's why I said I didn't think he was good enough. His age isn't the issue. A lot of guys don't even start to hit their stride until they get to that 25-27 years of age and Binnington isn't there yet.

Hutchinson has already shown he can play in the NHL but I dont think he's starter material.

My point about his age was that it's too late to start turning things around at this point. If he was 20 or 21 and posting these numbers, I would be interested. Or if he had 2-3 good AHL seasons under his belt already at age 24. But because he's 24 without those good seasons in the past, I'm not buying it.

[Axeman33]

My point about his age was that it's too late to start turning things around at this point. If he was 20 or 21 and posting these numbers, I would be interested. Or if he had 2-3 good AHL seasons under his belt already at age 24. But because he's 24 without those good seasons in the past, I'm not buying it.

Fair enough. Sometimes the switch can come at any age. It could be a change in training, a change in coaching, or simply a mental change. Who knows what switches these kids on and when it can happen. I guess my point is, I am not ready to completely write these guys off yet, but the opportunities aren't overly great for either guy.

[ericdaoust]

The problem is there's 31 backup jobs and like 60 goalies around the same talent level so guys like Hutchinson fall out of the mix all the time. Just look at Domingue, or even Budaj a couple years ago.

I do think Hutchinson will be involved in a minor trade at some point but I doubt the return will be anything significant.

[The Comish]

Fair enough. Sometimes the switch can come at any age. It could be a change in training, a change in coaching, or simply a mental change. Who knows what switches these kids on and when it can happen. I guess my point is, I am not ready to completely write these guys off yet, but the opportunities aren't overly great for either guy.

Exactly. A change can lead to something good, especially for goaltenders. Devan Dubnyk comes to mind when he left Edmonton and when Washington brought in the goalie whisperer to coach Holtby (along with a new head coach and style...).