The Arizona Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs made their second trade with each other in three days, as the Coyotes agreed to send goaltender Carter Hutton to the Leafs for future considerations Monday night.
The Maple Leafs plan to loan Hutton back to the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners - the Coyotes' affiliate - but he'll remain in Toronto's system, reports PHNX Sports' Craig Morgan.
The plan is for Hutton to practice with the Roadrunners as he rehabs his injured ankle, and he'll continue living in Arizona. The veteran reportedly agreed to the deal on the condition that he wouldn't be separated from his family.
Hutton cleared waivers earlier Monday, making him eligible to be assigned to the AHL. He hasn't played since Oct. 25.
The 36-year-old posted an atrocious .741 save percentage in three games with Arizona this season. While that's a small sample size, he's been the worst netminder in the NHL in terms of goals saved above expected per 60 minutes among those who've played at least two games in 2021-22, according to MoneyPuck.
Toronto's No. 1 and 2 goalies at the NHL level are Jack Campbell and Petr Mrazek, respectively. Mrazek hasn't been great this season, but he's signed through 2023-24 at a $3.8-million cap hit, according to CapFriendly. Hutton is a pending unrestricted free agent.
The Maple Leafs dealt forward Nick Ritchie and a conditional draft pick to the Coyotes for defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin and forward Ryan Dzingel on Saturday. Toronto waived Dzingel on Sunday, and the San Jose Sharks claimed him one day later.
