Canadiens Analysis
Canadiens Lane Hutson Excited For Contract Extension
Montreal Canadiens phenom Lane Hutson was quite clear when discussing his rookie season in the NHL.
He loves playing for the Habs, perhaps even as much as the fans love the 21-year-old defenceman.
“It’s a special place to play,” explained Hutson. “Having our young core, having all these guys that are still coming up. It’s only going to get younger in here, and we’re just excited about what the future can hold.”
A quick look at the first powerplay unit tells the tale in Montreal. With Ivan Demidov (19), Juraj Slafkovsky (21), Hutson (21), Cole Caufield (24), and Nick Suzuki (25) driving the charge, the youth movement isn’t imminent, it’s already underway.
It’s also worth noting the Canadiens were the youngest team to ever qualify for the playoffs, putting a very positive on their encouraging 2024-25 season.
Hutson played a key role, both from an individual and team standpoint. He went above and beyond, putting together one of the best rookie seasons from a defenceman in NHL history.
With six goals and 60 assists to his credit, not only did he quickly establish himself as a game-breaking presence, exactly what the doctor ordered for a team such as the Montreal Canadiens, he also led the team in scoring throughout the playoffs, earning five assists in five games.
Anyway you cut it, Hutson has exceeded all expectations, which is quite a statement when we consider the expectations were unreasonably high to begin with.
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Lane Hutson Contract Extension
Of course, a fantastic season rookie seasons translates to a significant raise, a situation that the team can address as early as July 1.
Hutson won’t come cheap, and though that’s usually a concern for management and fans, in this case it should be seen as a positive investment that should ensure one of the most dynamic defencemen in the league will serve as the last foundation piece the upstart Canadiens need in place before pivoting to lesser needs.
Needs such as finding a centre for the second line.
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The salary cap is set to explode over the course of the next few years, a reality that must be kept in mind when projecting Hutson’s potential contract. We’ll discuss the comparable contracts at a later date, but if the Canadiens do want to lock Hutson up for eight years, the negotiations are likely to start in the $10M per season range, perhaps even more.
Fortunately, Hutson seems eager to secure his future with the club.
“I hope so,” he said, when asked about the chance he’ll quickly sign a contract with the Montreal Canadiens.
That word, hope, is fitting.
While he hopes his agent and the team can find common ground, Habs fans can soon rest easy knowing most of their hope, which centres on Hutson’s excellence, is well-founded.
Even with the cap going up like it’s expected, I’d still be surprised if Hutson’s contract was for $10M per season. I think it’ll be around $9M x 8 years and I hope like hell that it happens on July 1. With the success the St. Louis Blues had with their offer sheets last summer, every single team in the league will be throwing massive money Hutson’s way after seeing what he did in his rookie season. We can’t even let the thought of that happening to occur. We HAVE to resign him THIS summer because if we wait until next summer, we’re toast. I think Hughes is a master negotiator. It’s his greatest strength imo. That’s why I have faith Hutson’s deal will get done as probably priority #1 on July 1st (even though it’ll have been all worked out beforehand behind the scenes). I think Hughes can keep the AAV near $9M with his silver tongue, explaining that if Lane takes this contract he’s going to be able to afford the depth it takes to build a championship roster. Lane will get his money and the chance to win championships. By letting Laine walk after next season, we could be paying only $300K more for 8 years of Hutson’s magic. Hell yeah! Locking up Demidov a year early when that time comes goes without saying. Based on where the cap will be by then, I think he’ll be our first $10M player. Price’s contract will be off the books after next season (perhaps sooner if it gets traded this summer). Factor that in with the rising cap and there will be plenty of money to cover Hutson’s, Demidov’s and several other big ticket contracts. I can almost smell Mr. Stanley’s mug now! 😁
See im on the fence. I a big believer in player earning early contracts. The habs are guilty of handing massive raises contracts based on 1 year of success. Gallagher anderson armia and recently slafkovsky. Do you want to hand a small diminutive dman 10mil for 8 years based off of 1 year. Just to watch the league adjust to him and he comes back to earth. I just can’t justify paying hutson more then makar. If hutson was a goal scorer like makar then im all for it. But I just dont see hutson having the same type of scoring. Now he might be comparable to quinn hughes 10 to 15g 50 to 60 assist. I’d start in the 7.5 to 8mil.. i understand the inflation and all but the contract is comparable since hughes is a consistent 60 to 80 point player and nominated norris candidate year after year. Hutson was not even nominated
Gallagher was a stud for the Habs for 7yrs on a sweetheart deal before he signed his extension. If you want to wait and watch Hutson earn his money, which I think he has more then done this year, a 9.5mill deal now could turn into a 12.5 m next yr at his rate of improvement. The kid is special. Lock him up.