Michael Hutchinson was acquired at the trade deadline as part of a package to do right by Jonathan Quick. Quick never wanted to come to Columbus, and Columbus did not make him report, promising to trade him by the deadline. Due to depth issues in net, Quick was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, winning his third Cup in the process, in exchange for journeyman netminder Michael Hutchinson.
Hutchinson did his job in a thankless role well – the Blue Jackets had no defense to speak of, especially after trading Vladislav Gavrikov, and needed a goaltender to eat starts to see out the end of an exceptionally-disappointing season.
THAT BEING SAID:
Hutchinson won what may be one of the most critical games in Blue Jackets history. By beating the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 13, the Blue Jackets could not finish dead last, which ultimately cost them the second overall pick (and presumably Hobey Baker winner Adam Fantilli), knocked the Penguins out of the playoffs (costing the Penguins front office their jobs), and completed a string of events that led Connor Bedard to Chicago.
It was one of two wins Hutchinson would earn in his 16 appearances, 2 of only 7 points he brought to the club.
2022-23 Stats
Games Played: 16
Games Started: 10
Record: 2-6-3
SV%: .875 (378 saves on 432 shots faced)
GAA: 4.29
Quality Start % (games with an above-average SV%): .200
Shutouts: 0
Really Bad Starts (SV% below .850): 4
Contract Status
Michael Hutchinson is a UFA this summer, having signed a 1 year, $750,000 contract in Vegas last sumer. Given the presence of Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov in the Blue Jackets’ organization, it is incredibly unlikely Hutchinson is a part of the club’s plans for next season (unless the team signs him for AHL depth like Vegas did last summer).
High Point
Getting traded to the Blue Jackets allowed Hutchinson to end his AHL/NHL call up saga and actually make his season debut in the NHL – despite signing for Vegas, he never played in the NHL for the Knights and won just 1 game in 7 appearances for AHL Henderson. The trade allowed Hutchinson to play in the NHL, not something he was likely to get to do in Vegas.
Low Point
Winning the game against the Penguins, even though it was one of two wins for Hutchinson on the year and a personal high point for him, will only be remembered by Blue Jackets fans as “the points that cost the team the best odds at Connor Bedard and definitely cost the club Adam Fantilli.” Given the Michigan connection developed in recent years and Fantilli seemingly appearing to be the prototypical Blue Jacket, fans will rue the missed opportunity for years to come.
Either that, or the night he gave up 7 goals as Columbus lost 7-0 at home to the Florida Panthers. We left that game at second intermission. It sucked.
Report Card
C
I mean. Sure?
Michael Hutchinson was not expected to do much for the club. If anything, gaining 7 points down the stretch was OVER expectations for what Hutchinson was bringing to the table. But he did his job, did it admirably, and likely does not factor into long-term plans or hamstring the team going forward. He was fine for his role, and that’s enough, even if his role was to be cannon fodder.