Butcher’s Block: Penguins Sign Former Devils D-Man

The Penguins seem keen on cornering the market on small, puck-moving, ex-Devils defensemen.

In a somewhat intriguing add, they signed 28-year-old Will Butcher to a two-way contract yesterday that pays $775,000 at the NHL level ($425,000 in the AHL).

Kinda wish we’d signed Garth Butcher, a snarling defenseman who patrolled the blueline for several teams back in the 1980s and ‘90s instead, but since he’s 60-years-old that probably wouldn’t work out too well.

Butcher (Will) was actually a player of significant promise only a few short years ago. After leading the University of Denver to the NCAA Championship and garnering the Hobey Baker Award his senior year, he was pursued by a number of NHL teams before signing with Ray Shero and New Jersey.

Following a splashy three-assist debut against Colorado (the team that drafted him back in 2013), Butcher enjoyed a strong rookie season in 2017-18, piling up 44 points (including five goals) to earn a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team.

Shades of Ty Smith.

Like Smith, Butcher’s star gradually began to wane. His production dipped to 30 points the following season (4+26) and 21 points in 56 games in ’19-20.

After recording 11 points (1+10) in 23 games for the Devils during the abbreviated ’20-21 campaign, he was dealt to Buffalo for a fifth-round pick. Butcher washed out with the rebuilding Sabres, then signed with Dallas. Spending the entire ’22-23 season with the AHL Texas Stars, he produced six goals and 43 points.

Superficially, his numbers and style of play remind me of former Pens first-rounder Derrick Pouliot. Butcher’s a plus-skater whose forte is moving and distributing the puck. Stout defense (minus-37 in 275 NHL games) and physical play (97 career hits) are not.

Which makes the 5’10” 190-pounder an ideal defenseman for coach Mike Sullivan’s scheme.