Thursday, March 19, 2026

UPDATED: Hutson scores in NHL debut; Eiserman signs with the Islanders; NJ Devil's Terrier prospect ranked

Cole Hutson made his NHL debut in the Capitals' 4-1 win over Ottawa, scoring an empty-net goal to seal the victory. He had 16:24 of ice time on 21 shifts including power play shifts and earned the game's third star. We'll let these video tweets tell the story. 

Check back for updates 

 

Boston Hockey Blog's Eli Cloutier examined Hutson's debut in his PuckStack on substack. 

● WTOP.com Defenseman Cole Hutson impresses in his NHL debut, then scores at the end for the Capitals 

● SportsNet.ca Cole Hutson scores in NHL debut as Capitals beat Senators

 

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Cole Eiserman's time as a Terrier has ended as the 2024 Islanders' first-round draft pick has agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract. He's the fourth Terrier to make an early departure to begin a pro career since Saturday's season-ending loss. 

Eiserman's contract, reported to be for $3.23M, begins with the 2026-27 season and he would have to play any games this season for the Isles' AHL affiliate in Bridgeport on an ATO contract.

Eiserman's two-year totals were 43 goals and 21 assists in 64 games. Sixteen of his goals came on power plays, mostly on one-timers (or "no-timers" as Bernie Corbett calls them) from the right face off circle. 

As a freshman, Eiserman was a driving force in BU's run to the national championship game. He led all NCAA rookies and all Terriers with 25 goals, finishing  fifth among all NCAA rookies with 36 points. Eiserman was named to Hockey East's All-Rookie and All-Academic teams.  

● NHL.com Eiserman signs 3-year, entry-level contract with Islanders

►► In The Athletic's ranking of the top drafted prospects for each NHL team, New Jersey's list has #1 Mikhail Yegorov, #4 Shane Lachance and #8 Conrad Fondrk. A few excerpts:

--Yegorov is a freak athlete who wowed some people at the combine in advance of the draft and has high-end attributes. He’s a 6-foot-5 goaltender with raw, natural athleticism that presents itself in his ability to go post-to-post or low-to-high. He also has good hands, and he reads and anticipates the play smartly.

He’s a big, long, lean goalie who should get stronger, is quick on his feet and in and out of his butterfly with clear technical skills as well. With the right patience, there’s some serious untapped potential in Yegorov’s game still, too. He has starter upside. 

--[Lachance is] a competitor. He has always had a high hockey IQ. He protects pucks well and is good along the wall in both the defensive and offensive zone. He’s viewed as a leader. He has a more diverse game than the stereotypical wall/net-front guy, but also has the stick for that. 

Lachance works hard, he supports play well, he plays off skill guys effectively and some believe he might become a solid role player at the next level. 

--Fondrk is a very skilled player who can make plays in space and was owed a better fate in his time at the [NTDP] program, both in terms of production and health. He played stretches of hockey where he looked like one of the program’s best and most talented player.

He has a dangerous mid-range shot, individual skill/hands and good overall skating. The talent level and the ability to execute finishing plays have appeared top-end in stretches.  He has made some pretty plays over the years, and he’s definitely a threat when the puck lands on his stick in the slot/with time.  

 

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