Taking a look at the latest entry-level contracts signed this spring.

This is a busy time in most fantasy leagues for fantasy GMs. You have either just completed your trade deadline or about to, and your playoffs are either started are close at hand. Exciting stuff for us all.

This is also a busy time for actual NHL GM's as well. This is the time of year when you see a lot of U.S. College players getting signed to entry-level contracts, as well as the kids coming out of the CHL. Some were drafted; some were passed over in their draft years.  

In this week's Capped, I am going to take a look at five players who signed their first NHL contracts and what they might bring to their respective franchises. Some might be worth snagging (either by FA pickup or in next years draft, depending on how your league works with these late signees) and hopefully reading this will give you a leg up on your competition. In some of the cases, their actual cap hit has been released. In other cases, the actual cap hit hasn't been released yet because some of them have only signed an amateur try-out (ATO) contract until the end of this year so they can compete in the AHL for the playoffs, and their ELC doesn't actually start until next year. 

Ben Hutton (D – Vancouver)

Contract – three-year ELC

Drafted – 147^th overall (5^th round) in 2012

Hutton decided to forego his senior year with the University of Maine and sign his entry-lever contract with the Vancouver Canucks. The 21 year-old offensive minded defenseman was actually a forward until he was 16 and this shows in his game. In his three years with the Black Bears, he was the team's top scoring defenseman each year. In fact, last year, he led all college defensemen in goals scored, sniping 15 goals in 35 games. A lot of this comes from his high shot rate he offers. Like most offensive defensemen, he's not a physical player, but he's not a defensive liability either. He's good at using his 6'3", 200-pound frame to keep players to the outside by using his strong speed and long reach.

Hutton's a smooth skater who is capable of playing in all situations. How he adjusts to the pro game will be determined in Utica for their playoff run this year. He projects as a top-four, offensive defenseman but if the Canucks are smart they will not rush him to the NHL. They should let him adjust to the speed in the AHL for a full season and then give him his shot.

Brandon Montour (D – Anaheim)

Contract – ATO this year, ELC – three years starting 2015/16, $832,500

Drafted – 55^th overall (2^nd round) in 2014

After playing one season with the University of Massachusetts, Montour has decided to sign his ELC with the Anaheim Ducks. As it stands right now, his ELC doesn't actually kick in until the beginning of next year so for now, he has signed an ATO contract which will allow him to play the rest of this year in the AHL with the Ducks affiliate in Norfolk.

Montour is an offensive-first type of defenseman. During his short time with the UMass Minutemen, Montour played in 21 games and amassed 20 points (3-17), which also included six multi-point games. It's his dynamic skating ability that makes his stand out from others and that serves him well at both ends of the ice. His speed can help him lead the rush or can aid him in getting back into position in the defensive end.

Montour is just another solid defensive prospect in a deep Anaheim system. He will get plenty of time to adjust to the pro game along side another high end, offensive prospect, Shea Theodore in the AHL. 

He's probably a couple years away from making a dent in the NHL, but certainly one worth stashing in your fantasy minors, assuming he's even available after being drafted high in the NHL draft.