Hobey Baker winning defenseman Will Butcher has made his decision. He will sign with the New Jersey Devils.
The New Jersey Devils are looking to rebuild their blue line. Currently, their depth is very shallow. Trading Adam Larsson and not doing anything to replace his presence certainly didn’t help. Even if it did net them an excellent forward in Taylor Hall.
Ironically, the Devils’ lack of NHL caliber defensemen might have just helped them improve it. 2016-17 Hobey Baker winning defenseman Will Butcher elected free agency over signing with the Colorado Avalanche, who originally drafted him in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL Draft. On Sunday August 27, he decided to sign with the Devils.
"Butcher, 22, spent the past four seasons, 2013-2017, with University of Denver (NCHC). In 2016-17, he led his club as team captain to win the NCAA National Championship as the no. 1 ranked team in the nation. Butcher became the second Pioneer in the school’s history to win the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player."
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It’s worth noting winning the Hobey Baker doesn’t necessarily guarantee NHL success. Last year’s winner Jimmy Vesey made an impact with the New York Rangers. But for every Jack Eichel and Johnny Gaudreau, there are award winners who didn’t amount for much in the NHL.
Butcher is a nice guy for the Devils to take. Their blue line is very shallow and he’ll only make it better. Butcher has impressive offensive potential and could see second pairing minutes as early as this season. For years, the Devils have lacked defensemen who can move the puck and lead the offense. Butcher should immediately step in and fill that role.
This will be a two-year contract, as he decided not to sign with the Avalanche. This gives Butcher a chance to become a restricted free agent in two seasons, as opposed to three. Last season with the University of Denver, he put up 37 points in 43 games. Butcher captained the team to an NCAA championship.
The award winning defenseman had reportedly seriously considered offers from a variety of teams, including the Los Angeles Kings, Vegas Golden Knights and Buffalo Sabres.