Veteran defenseman Ben Hutton signs PTO with Canadian team

Training camp is right around the corner for the Ottawa Senators, and the club is already making moves to shore up their defensive depth. After a frustrating end to their 2025-26 season that saw injuries ravage the blue line down the stretch and into the playoffs, Ottawa's front office isn't taking any chances heading into the new campaign. On Thursday, the team made a move that brings a familiar face closer to home.

A Stanley Cup Winner Heads to Ottawa

The Senators announced that veteran defenseman Ben Hutton has been brought in on a professional tryout contract ahead of the 2026-27 training camp. The 33-year-old Brockville, Ontario native spent the last five seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he was part of their 2023 Stanley Cup championship squad and made two playoff appearances during his tenure in the desert.

Hutton played 55 games for Vegas last season, putting up career-best numbers with six goals and nine assists. He also chipped in one assist across seven postseason contests as the Golden Knights made another run to the Cup Final. Over the course of his 11-year NHL career, the six-foot-three left-shot blueliner has suited up for 575 games with the Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and Toronto Maple Leafs, accumulating 30 goals and 109 assists.

Originally a fifth-round selection by Vancouver back in 2012, Hutton has carved out a long career thanks to his steady, two-way game rather than flashy offensive numbers. His best offensive campaign came during his rookie year in 2015-16 when he posted 25 points in 75 games with the Canucks, but he has remained a valuable depth option ever since. His expected-goals-for percentage sat above 50 percent in four of his five seasons in Vegas, including a strong 55.7 percent mark in 2023-24. He was playing out the final year of a two-year, $1.95 million deal with the Golden Knights last season, though injuries did limit his availability at times during his stint in Sin City.

What This Means for Ottawa's Blue Line

The timing of this PTO is no coincidence. Senators general manager Steve Staios had previously indicated the team would look at tryout contracts if concerns around defenseman Artem Zub's health lingered into camp. That appears to be exactly what happened, as Ottawa confirmed that Zub and forward Warren Foegele will not be ready when training camp opens. Zub, 30, is dealing with a lower-body issue that sidelined him for the final three games of Ottawa's first-round playoff series against Carolina last spring. Head coach Travis Green did offer some reassurance, noting both players are expected back within the next two weeks.

Green also has some history with Hutton from their overlapping time in Vancouver, which likely played a role in the decision. Beyond the Zub situation, Ottawa's defensive picture is an interesting one heading into the fall. Top prospect Carter Yakemchuk appears poised to step into a full-time role, while a group of young defenders including Nikolas Matinpalo, Jorian Donovan, Tomas Hamara, and Hoyt Stanley are all vying for roster spots. Hutton could realistically slot in above those younger options as a reliable extra body, serving as a veteran safety net behind Yakemchuk and Tyler Kleven while the organization's prospects continue developing in the AHL.

Hutton is not expected to make a huge splash on the scoresheet if he earns a roster spot, but that is not really the point. His decade-plus of NHL experience, playoff pedigree, and dependable defensive play could be exactly what the Senators need as they look to build on last season and take the next step. With camp set to begin, the competition on Ottawa's back end just got a little more interesting.