As the Montreal Canadiens approach the remainder of their offseason, their attention is divided between acquiring center Mason McTavish and securing Lane Hutson’s future with the team. While Hutson continues to be a key defensive and offensive contributor, his contract is due to expire next year, causing concern among fans about his potential departure.
Expert Confirms Lane Hutson Remains a Priority for the Canadiens
Despite Montreal’s early playoff exit last season, the team still has a strong core with players like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Lane Hutson contributing consistently. Suzuki and Caufield are both locked into long-term contracts, but Hutson is entering the final year of his three-year, $2.85 million deal, which has prompted unease among supporters hoping to keep one of their most promising young athletes.
Insider Pierre McGuire addressed these concerns on the Toronto Sports Rush podcast alongside co-host EJ Hradek, emphasizing that Hutson’s contract extension is highly likely. McGuire stated,
“And I know people in Montreal are panicking about why isn’t Lane Hudson signed yet. Lane Hudson will get signed. He’s not going anywhere. He’s a restricted free agent.”
He acknowledged there are other teams interested in Hutson, but insisted Montreal holds the advantage.
McGuire further explained,
“Even if he doesn’t sign now, they will get him, and they if let’s just say somebody tried to make a predatory offer on him; EJ guaranteed Montreal’s going to match, which is their right on an RFA.”
At 21 years old, Hutson is unlikely to leave Montreal anytime soon.
Strong Strategic Reasons Behind Retaining Hutson Long-Term
Montreal is in need of a reliable second-line center, making Hutson’s retention critical as they build for the future. His performance, combined with the potential defensive pairing with David Reinbacher, positions him as a cornerstone of Montreal’s long-term defensive strategy.
Currently, Hutson’s cap hit sits at $950,000, but projections for his next contract estimate an annual average value (AAV) between $8.8 million and $9.5 million, likely on an eight-year deal. With the NHL salary cap expected to reach roughly $104 million by then, his potential contract would represent about 9 to 9.5 percent of the Canadiens’ total salary cap.
This valuation places Hutson’s anticipated contract in a similar range as notable offers across the league. For comparison, Quinn Hughes signed a six-year, $47.10 million deal that accounted for 9.63 percent of the Canucks’ cap space, while Jake Sanderson’s eight-year, $64.4 million contract represented 9.2 percent of the Senators’ cap.
Anticipated Timeline and Financial Outlook for Hutson’s Extension
Most analysts expect Hutson to secure a contract exceeding $60 million in total value, though it’s likely the annual amount will remain under $10 million. Montreal will have an extended window to negotiate this extension, with the deadline for signing the restricted free agent falling in September 2026.