Last year, in Ben Hutton’s sophomore season, the young defenceman out of the University of Maine was one of the few Canucks who gave fans a reason to be cautiously optimistic about the team’s blueline.

In 71 games, Hutton scored 19 points and finished with a minus-22 rating. (Yes, the Canucks were bad enough last year that a minus-22 defenceman was considered a bright spot, but that’s beside the point.) Hutton, along with Troy Stecher, represented the supposed next generation of Vancouver defencemen: puck-moving, slick skaters who could get the puck out of the zone and join in on the rush.

Hutton’s advanced statistics were decent last year, as he posted a positive Relative Corsi (something only nine Canucks who played more than 50 games accomplished) and ate up ice time. Hutton was also second in average ice time per game last campaign, finishing behind only minute-chomper Alex Edler.

Yes, injuries to core rearguards like Chris Tanev certainly played a part in that, but that’s still incredible to think about when one looks at how this season has gone for the Brockville, Ontario native.

The only thing that’s stayed the same for Hutton this season under new head coach Travis Green has been the solid underlying numbers. In fact, Hutton’s Relative Corsi has increased (he’s fifth in players with 50 or more games).

The rest of his stats sheet looks markedly different. Zero goals. Only six assists in 59 games. Hutton hasn’t been anywhere close to the average ice time he was enjoying last season either, as he’s seen more than two minutes less per game. He’s also been healthy scratched a whopping 12 times on the season, something that would have been unthinkable coming into the year.

In sports, there’s always someone to blame, so who’s at fault for how things have played out this year for a once promising blueliner?

The Coach

Certainly Travis Green has been a major factor in Ben Hutton’s tumble down the roster this year. After all, he’s the one who decides who plays and how often. And it’s quite obvious that Green prefers defencemen (and players, for that matter) who are willing to throw the body around.

Michael Del Zotto, for instance, has played in the top four (and sometimes the top two) all season, in large part due to the fact that he leads the team in hits. Often, Hutton was given a press box seat so that another physical defenceman, Alex Biega, could inject some "energy" into the lineup.

The coach has refused to let other players sit instead of Hutton, ostensibly trying to teach the youngster a lesson. Green has also suggested that Hutton is out of shape.

All of it led to Hutton saying “I don’t know…maybe. I just want to play,” when asked whether he would welcome a trade at the February deadline.

The defenceman has been trying to inject more physicality into his game, that much is obvious. He’s recently come down with a foot infection, but it doesn’t appear too serious. The last seven games down the stretch could go a long way toward convincing his coach that he’s learned a lesson and is ready to be a regular contributor to the lineup.

That is, if Green is even willing to hear his case. It might be that the coach has been too cryptic and demanding on a confused young defenceman.

Management

Hutton is getting paid $2.8 million this season and next. The thought at the time of the contract was that he would be a second (maybe third if the Canucks were a good team) pairing defenceman on the left side of the defence behind Alex Edler.

But then Canucks general manager Jim Benning signed a slew of veterans this offseason, including the aforementioned Del Zotto. Del Zotto’s presence in the lineup seems to have had an adverse effect on Hutton, as the veteran keeps getting played over the youngster, despite the former posting rough underlying numbers and generally looking like a disaster in his own end on many nights.

It has to confuse Hutton and make him question what he can do to overcome veterans like Del Zotto and Erik Gudbranson when outplaying them is still getting him scratched.

What incentive will Hutton have to re-sign with the Canucks when his contract expires at the end of next season? It could be a moot point, because if rumours are true, management is trying to shop him. It’s clear the team doesn’t value him as much as they previously did, for whatever reason. 

Himself

Hutton’s not playing with the same confidence that he was last year. But again, how could he, given the organization’s preference for different styles of players? Hutton is 6’2 and over 200 pounds, but he’s not a defence-first, clear-the-net type. He’s a puck-mover and it’s clear the Canucks need players of his ilk on the backend.

It might be on the team to accept that he’s never going to be a hitting machine on the blueline. He’s there to make outlet passes and smart plays with his stick. It’s what he does best, and given his positive underlying numbers, it’s something that hasn’t changed from his game.

Maybe he’s not the one to take the heat for how this season has gone. We may find out after next season (or in this offseason) if he moves on to another destination. Seeing him flourish with another team would be a crushing blow for a team that badly needs NHL calibre defencemen. And it might just make the organization rethink its decision-making. 

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