In a move that has sent shockwaves through the hockey world, Lane Hutson has just secured his future with the Montreal Canadiens in a blockbuster deal, locking in an eight-year, $70.8 million contract that cements his role as a cornerstone of the franchise. But here's where it gets controversial: is this deal a bold investment in a proven talent, or a risky bet on a young player's potential? Let’s dive in.
The 21-year-old defenseman, who could have tested the waters as a restricted free agent after this season, has instead committed long-term to the Canadiens, with the contract kicking in next season at an average annual value of $8.85 million. "It’s nice to get a good bit of business done," Hutson remarked. "For me, it’s back to work and building my game. I think it’s good for both sides. I’m just happy to be here for a long time."
Hutson’s journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. Last season, he shattered records by scoring 66 points (six goals, 60 assists) in 82 games, surpassing Chris Chelios’ Canadiens record for most points by a first-year defenseman. His 60 assists also tied an NHL rookie record set by Larry Murphy in 1980-81. These achievements earned him the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top rookie, making him only the second Montreal player in the expansion era (since 1967-68) to win the honor, following goalie Ken Dryden in 1971-72.
Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes shared insights into the negotiations, revealing a telling moment during a conversation with Hutson. "He talked about his view on things, and it struck me how much he wanted to be here and how hard he was going to work," Hughes said. "I cut him off and said, 'Lane, there wouldn’t be an eight-year deal if we didn’t believe in who you were at your core.'" Hughes emphasized the importance of Hutson’s character and commitment, not just to his own growth but to being a team player—a critical element in building the culture the Canadiens are striving for.
Selected in the second round (No. 62) of the 2022 NHL Draft, Hutson has already made an impact, tallying 69 points (six goals, 63 assists) in 87 regular-season games. He also contributed five assists in five Stanley Cup Playoff games, helping the Canadiens return to the postseason for the first time since their 2021 Stanley Cup Final appearance. "Every time I put on this jersey, it’s special," Hutson said. "Whether it’s practice, games, preseason, or playoffs, it always means so much to me. I’m thrilled to do it for a while now."
Hutson’s optimism about the team’s future is palpable. "I believe we’re not far off from being a Stanley Cup championship team—and not just once," he said. "I trust what we’re doing here. The belief I have in this group, the staff, the coaches—everything we have in place—I think we’re heading in a great direction."
The Canadiens, fresh off a 2-1-0 start to the season, will play their home opener against the Seattle Kraken at Bell Centre on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; RDS, TSN2, KONG, KHN). Hughes acknowledged the challenges of team-building in today’s NHL, noting, "If you go out into the open market, you’re going to have to pay. Our hope is to build this team internally, but if there’s a hole in the lineup that needs to be filled to become a championship-caliber team, we’ll have to address it."
And this is the part most people miss: while Hutson’s contract is a significant investment, it’s also a statement about the Canadiens’ commitment to their young core. But is this the right strategy? Are the Canadiens setting themselves up for long-term success, or could this deal become a burden if Hutson’s performance doesn’t match expectations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—is this deal a slam dunk, or a risky gamble?
NHL.com columnist Nick Cotsonika contributed to this report.
