What started as a straightforward negotiation between the Montreal Canadiens and rising defensive star Lane Hutson has now morphed into one of the most unpredictable storylines of the offseason. Thanks to Luke Hughes’ blockbuster seven-year, $63 million extension with the New Jersey Devils, the entire landscape for young defensemen’s contracts has shifted — and Hutson’s future price tag may have just skyrocketed.
Hughes, fresh off a 44-point season, now commands an average of $9 million per year. That figure doesn’t just set the bar — it blows it up. And suddenly, all eyes are on Lane Hudson, whose dazzling play has made him a cornerstone of Montreal’s rebuild.
Just weeks ago, analysts projected Hutson’s eventual deal in the $6.5 to $7 million range over 5–6 years. Now? Those numbers look outdated. Insiders believe Hutson’s camp will push for at least $9.5 to $10 million annually, pointing not only to Hughes’ deal but also to the expected rise in the NHL’s salary cap. For Montreal, that’s a potential financial headache — and a negotiation that just got a lot more complicated.
The Canadiens have made it clear they see Hudson as a future leader, both on and off the ice. He’s embraced the challenge, flashing elite s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 and poise well beyond his years. But management is also under pressure to strike the right balance: paying him like a franchise cornerstone without handcuffing the team’s cap flexibility.
The Hughes deal may also embolden Hudson’s camp to argue he’s tracking at an even higher trajectory. If Hughes can command $9 million after one strong season, what’s Hudson worth if he continues to improve and becomes Montreal’s top blueliner?
Meanwhile, the Canadiens are juggling more than just Hudson. Prospect Alexander Shervski is tearing it up in the KHL, and fan-favorite LJ Mooney continues to rise. Montreal’s long-term core is coming into focus — but locking in Hudson is the single most important piece of the puzzle.
What makes this all the more dramatic is timing. The Canadiens know a deal will send a message not just to Hudson, but to the entire locker room and fanbase: Montreal is serious about rewarding its stars. On the flip side, a drawn-out, contentious negotiation could cast a shadow over their rebuild.
The Hughes extension has thrown gasoline on the fire. What was once a quiet negotiation is now a headline-grabbing saga with major implications for the Canadiens and the NHL’s next generation of defensemen.
One thing is certain: the Lane Hutson situation isn’t just about one contract anymore. It’s about precedent, leverage, and the future identity of the Montreal Canadiens. And as of now, it’s officially insane.
