Canadiens Rumors: Projected Numbers For Lane Hutson's Next Contract

Lane Hutson had a very impressive rookie season in the NHL as a defenseman, especially offensively. His defense is going to need some work, but when he can do what he did with the puck and in the offensive zone, he will be cut some slack for now.

Hutson is heading into the third and final year of his entry-level deal and is going to get a massive pay increase, just after what he showed in his rookie season, winning the Calder Trophy and finishing ninth in Norris Trophy voting.

Elliotte Friedman said that "Lane Hutson, I'm sure the Montreal Canadiens wanted him to be under (Nick) Suzuki. If Hutson is going to sign for term, it's probably going to be up closer to (Noah) Dobson."

Suzuki is going into the fourth year of his eight-year deal at a cap hit of $7.875 million AAV. Already being almost halfway through the deal, it's tough to keep other top players just signing now under that number. Dobson just got a new contract when the Canadiens acquired him at eight years and $9.5 million AAV.

Friedman also said, "Canadiens fans are wondering about a Lane Hutson extension. The market is getting reset. I don't see problems getting these guys signed, but I do see a sweet spot being a challenge."

While Hutson hasn't shown what he can do for longer than a season and Dobson has, scoring 10+ goals in four consecutive seasons and finishing with 70 points in 2023-24, Hutson is four years younger, home grown, and didn't just regress and have a down season.

The Canadiens will have the cap space to sign Hutson either way, but locking him down for the longest they can is best. The team won't have to worry about signing him again anytime soon and the focus will be on other areas of the team. While it would get expensive signing Hutson at over $9 million AAV, Patrick Laine, Josh Anderson, Brendan Gallagher, and Mike Matheson are all UFAs after next season or the one after, so cap space frees up.