Ben Hutton is back in the NHL conversation, and this time the former Vegas Golden Knights defenseman is doing it with the New York Islanders.
The Islanders announced Monday that they’ve signed the 33-year-old to a professional tryout, giving him a shot to prove he still belongs on an NHL roster. For Hutton, it’s another chance to extend a career that has already taken him through several stops around the league and includes a Stanley Cup ring.
Hutton spent the last five seasons in Vegas, where he carved out a steady role on the blue line. He was never the headliner, but he was the kind of defenseman teams value: dependable, low-maintenance and ready when called upon. That included being part of the Golden Knights’ 2023 Stanley Cup-winning group.
His final season with Vegas was also his most productive in the goal column. Hutton scored six goals in 55 games, a career high, and added nine assists for 15 points. He then appeared in seven games during Vegas’ run to the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, picking up one assist.
Hutton’s NHL resume stretches well beyond his time with the Golden Knights. He debuted with the Vancouver Canucks in 2015 and later suited up for the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs before landing in Vegas in 2021.
In all, he has played 575 NHL games and recorded 139 points, with 30 goals and 109 assists.
He also brings championship experience beyond the NHL, having won a gold medal with Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Championship.
A PTO doesn’t lock anything in, so Hutton still has work to do if he wants to turn this opportunity into a contract. But for now, he’s back in the mix, looking to earn one more NHL job.
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Jack Eichel Returns For A Golden Knights Test That Means More
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Eichels return has long been the bigger storyline whenever the Knights visit New England, but Hanifin adds another layer to the night as Vegas continues a road stretch that puts two of its players back in front of old friends, family and a crowd that knows their histories well. It is the kind of game that can feel bigger than the standings for a few hours, even if the real answer to how much it matters will only come once the puck drops. [Read more 🡒]
Golden Knights Let A Valuable Road Point Slip In Boston
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Vegas had done the hard part by climbing back into a game that looked like it could get away from them, only to see it decided in the skills competition. The Bruins finished it there, leaving the Golden Knights to settle for a result that was useful on the standings sheet but still left some frustration attached to the trip. [Read more 🡒]
Adin Hill Is Not Vegas Biggest Problem Right Now
Adin Hill has done enough in net to keep the Golden Knights from making him the easy target after a rough stretch, even with a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils adding to the frustration. The bigger issue has been elsewhere, with Vegas struggling to generate enough offense and clean up its puck management when games tighten up.
Hill has still given the club a chance in plenty of his starts, and the recent losses have not been driven by a collapse in goal. The Knights need more support in front of him, because the current problems are about execution and finishing, not a goaltender suddenly becoming the weak link. [Read more 🡒]