There's a precondition attached to playing goal for the Nashville Predators.
This is a requirement that won't be detailed in a standard player's contract, and it's unrelated to athleticism, flexibility, reflexes, or any performance-based standard that an elite goaltender must meet.
In fact, it's something most of us do, mindlessly, and from the couch at home. Only without the audience.
"Hey, this is what we do here."
Mic'd up
This was the basic gist of it when Carter Hutton - then new to the Predators organization - was first mic'd and informed that he would be providing in-game analysis for segments on the local broadcast.
Now a veteran, and with enough reps across three seasons backing up Pekka Rinne to locate and speak directly and articulately into a camera set up across Bridgestone Arena (and also effectively deal with the distractions at ice level during NHL games), Hutton's at the crux of one of the more insightful and interesting segments found on local hockey broadcasts.
"I have worked on it a bit," Hutton said in an interview with theScore. "I just take some pride in it; if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right, and with the best of my ability."
Hutton might be the NHL's best game analyst in slightly sweat-soaked goalie gear and a ball cap, but he's no pioneer. The mid-game backup interview has been a staple of Predators broadcasts, and a bit that helped launch longtime backup Chris Mason's radio career.
But the key for Hutton, in this distinctive moonlighting endeavor, isn't to be something or someone else.
"You don't want to be too dry and just continue on with the same (cliches)," Hutton said. "I try to talk with education, and come across the right way. I try to provide my perspective of what I see in the game, and maybe a different spin from a goalie's point of view. I try not to be too generic."
He added: "I just try to be myself, you know. I try to approach it with a positive attitude."
That last part may be most important. Because though Nashville has firmly established its NHL roots, as confirmed by the wildly successful All-Star Game in Music City, Hutton is cognizant of the fact his in-game availability is still a marketing tool used to help package and sell the game.
So while using this platform to inform and educate a malleable audience, whether through sharing tactics or relaying the message from Peter Laviolette and the coaching staff, remains paramount, coming across as upbeat, engaging, and simply willing is a requirement, too.
"It's a chance for me to help sell the game, to promote it, so I just think negativity doesn't get me anywhere," said Hutton, who points to Darren Pang and Kevin Weekes, two analysts (and former goaltenders) that err on the side of positively for inspiration.
"At the end of the day, you can always find something negative to critique, but I think you can always find something positive from a situation too."
'Thanks for having me, guys'
Charm, of course, is far easier on nights when the game is tilted in Nashville's direction. And that's also when the entire bench gets in on the fun.
When he's not ducking under a flung towel, swatting at a stick being waved in his face, or being pestered by the training staff, it's often Hutton's duty to work a predefined keyword or phrase into the interview to appease his teammates.
The tone will change from discussion to discussion with Willy Daunic and Stu Grimson, who do the play-by-play and color commentary, respectively, but each one- or two-minute segment ends with the same fan engagement.
Hutton's legion of supporters will happily tweet his now-signature signoff - "Hey, thanks for having me guys" - back at the backup netminder, while some continue to encourage the 30-year-old to take up a post-playing career in broadcasting.
"I get it all the time," he said, adding, "It's definitely something to consider, but right now I'm focused on playing the game and having a long career - which is more important to me right now.
"But when the time comes, we'll cross that bridge."
So as long as he's a goaltender, the mentions - and instantaneous critiques - must wait. Hutton refocuses on the task at hand when the headset is removed, returning to his overriding role as Rinne's second set of eyes and offering the classified analysis that's too important to make it to air.
For now, anyway.
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