Three years, $2.75 million average annual value
When it comes to matching ability to opportunity, Hutton fits the Sabres needs in terms of stopping pucks and supporting their likely future No. 1 goalie Linus Ullmark.
Hutton is also familiar with Sabres coach Phil Housley, who was an assistant coach when he played in Nashville (2013-16), and Buffalo goaltending coach Andrew Allen, who worked with Hutton for two years when each were with the Chicago Blackhawks' American Hockey League affiliate from 2011-13.
Hutton is coming off the best season of his career, going 17-7-3 with a .931 save percentage and .209 goals-against average which led the NHL. After playing as a backup behind Pekka Rinne with the Predators and Jake Allen with the Blues, Hutton showed he was capable of more last season, earning starts ahead of Allen as the season went on. He will get the opportunity to continue playing more regularly with the Sabres, who did not re-sign Chad Johnson or Robin Lehner.
If Hutton, 32, can pick up where he left off with the Blues, which will require better defensive support than the Sabres had last season, and play up to 55 games, the signing will be a win for the Sabres.
With Allen, Hutton showed he is capable of supporting, rather than undercutting, a young goalie while also pushing for more playing time. And if Ullmark, who has a .917 save percentage in 26 NHL games over three seasons, does progress quickly into a No. 1 role, Hutton will be a top NHL backup and mentor on and off the ice.