Washington welcomed a new face this week when it signed top d-man prospect Cole Hutson (2024 2nd round, 43rd overall) to a three-year, entry-level contract commencing this season. The signing comes on the heels of Boston University’s season-ending 5-3 loss to UConn in Hockey East’s postseason tournament quarterfinals on Saturday. Hutson’s contract carries a cap hit of $940,833 per annum through the 2027-28 season.
Caps head coach Spencer Carbery has yet to decide whether Hutson will debut against Ottawa on Wednesday, but the sooner the better for Washington. With 14 games remaining, the Capitals sit 7 points behind Boston in the race for the final wild-card spot in the East. With the departure of d-man John Carlson to Anaheim at the trade deadline, Washington is in need of a play-driver on the back end to make a playoff push. The Caps are hopeful Hutson fits that bill, as he totaled 80 points (24G 56A) in 74 games in two seasons at BU, the most by an NCAA d-man during that time.