On Thursday morning, Marco D’Amico of RG Media reported that contract extension discussions involving Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson and the Montreal Canadiens have begun on a positive note. The talks between Hutson’s agent and the Canadiens are described as very friendly, indicating a potential agreement could be reached soon, marking an important development for the team’s defense lineup.
Although Hutson still has one year remaining on his entry-level contract, he and the Canadiens have been allowed to negotiate an extension since July 1st. The urgency to finalize a new contract is heightened by upcoming changes in the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which could influence contract lengths and terms starting after the 2025-26 season.
New CBA Rules Put Pressure on Timing of Contract Extensions
The new collective bargaining agreement will take effect at the conclusion of the 2025-26 NHL season. Under these revised rules, players re-signing with their current team will be limited to contracts of a maximum of seven years, while free agents may sign deals lasting up to six years. Currently, the Canadiens are allowed to offer up to an eight-year contract regardless of when the contract begins.
This means the Canadiens must complete any potential eight-year contract with Hutson before July 1, 2026, if they want to maximize the contract length. Securing the deal early would allow Montreal to keep their promising young defenseman in the organization through his peak years, possibly until he is 30 years old.
Financial Strategy Behind Signing Hutson Early
There are clear financial incentives for the Canadiens to finalize Hutson’s contract extension sooner rather than later. After his impressive rookie season, the team could likely negotiate a contract at a more favorable value now. On the other hand, if Hutson continues performing at a similar level over the next year, his agent might seek a larger average annual value (AAV) for any long-term contract.
D’Amico’s report also highlights the importance of using appropriate contract benchmarks during these negotiations. Although Noah Dobson’s recent eight-year, $9.5 million per year deal with Montreal is notable, it may not serve as the ideal comparison since Dobson’s contract covers mostly unrestricted free agent years, which carry more leverage and value than restricted free agent years that would be part of Hutson’s deal.
Comparable Contracts Help Outline Hutson’s Potential Deal
A more fitting comparison for Hutson is Quinn Hughes, considered a close player peer. Hughes signed a six-year, $47 million contract ($7.85 million AAV) in October 2021, which represented 9.63% of the NHL salary cap at the time. If the Canadiens match a similar percentage of the projected salary cap, Hutson’s deal could carry a cap hit near $10 million starting in the 2026-27 season, when the salary cap is expected to be around $104 million.
Other recently signed defensemen—Jake Sanderson and Brock Faber—secured contracts equating to roughly 9.2% and 8.9% of the cap, respectively. Since Hutson’s current level of play is not yet on par with Hughes, it is likely that Montreal may offer him a contract valued between 9% to 9.5% of the salary cap. This structure would result in a cap hit comparable to Dobson’s, though based on different contract dynamics.
Projected Contract Figures and Potential Impact on Canadiens
Based on the analysis and comparable signings, an eight-year contract worth around $76 million, with an average annual value close to $9.5 million, appears plausible for Hutson’s next deal. This figure aligns with contracts of other star defensemen signing their second NHL contracts in recent years and reflects an approach that balances player value with fiscal responsibility under future CBA terms.
Successfully locking down Hutson at this stage would be a strategic move for the Canadiens, securing a key defensive asset for the long term while managing salary cap implications. As contract talks advance, the Canadiens could soon finalize terms that keep their promising young defenseman committed well into the future, providing continuity and stability on their blue line.