Leafs acquire Hutton from Coyotes, but the veteran goalie won't leave his former team

In case you missed the news yesterday, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired goaltender Carter Hutton from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for future considerations.

The 36 year old Hutton was waived by the Coyotes just a day earlier, but was offered up to the Leafs essentially for free on the trade market just 24 hours later. Because Hutton cleared waivers the Coyotes were set to send him down to the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners and it appears that that will still be the case, even though his rights have been acquired by the Leafs. According to a report from Coyotes insider Craig Morgan, Hutton will remain with the Roadrunners and merely provide the Leafs with some additional goaltending depth should an injury occur to Jack Campbell, Petr Mrazek or Michael Hutchinson.

It's also worth noting that Hutton has been recovering from an ankle injury and isn't ready to play (either in the AHL or the NHL) anytime soon.

From Morgan:

He’s staying in Arizona. Per a league source, the Maple Leafs will loan Hutton back to the Tucson but still have the insurance of an extra goalie in their system.

He’ll practice and skate with the Roadrunners each week, trying to get his game and injured ankle back in order, but he will continue living in the Valley with his wife and two kids. AHL rights are different than NHL rights so the Leafs can agree to loan him to the Roadrunners. Per a source, Hutton consented to the deal with the agreement that he would not be separated from his family by going to another city.

- Craig Morgan

Hutton posted a .741 save percentage in three appearances with the Coyotes this season, and struggled in his last two seasons posting .886 and .898 save percentages with the Buffalo Sabres -- a far cry from his career-high of .931 with the St. Louis Blues in 2017-18.

He's in the final year of a contract that pays him the NHL's minimum salary at $750,00. In effect, he's a low risk, low coast insurance policy for the Leafs in goal. Smart move.