the Montreal Canadiens Lane Hutson received an eight-year, $70.8 million contract extension on Monday. The deal has a maximum cap value of $8.85 million per season, and will begin in the 2026-27 season and run through 2033-34. Hutson had a strong rookie season, scoring six goals and 60 assists for 66 points, and won the Calder Trophy.
Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes spoke about the defenseman’s character and commitment, saying he made it clear how much he wanted to be in Montreal.
“I interrupted him and said, ‘Len, there’s not going to be an eight-year deal if we don’t believe in who you are at your core,'” Hughes said, via Canadiens insider Eric Engels.
Hughes highlighted that Hutson’s dedication to being a good teammate and improving himself was just as important as his on-ice skills.
“You know, the kind of person he is and how committed he is to being the best version of himself but also the best version of his teammate,” Hughes said.
Captain Montreal Nick Suzuki also commented About Hutson’s role.
“We’ve built a culture here where guys don’t try to break the bank, and I think all Len wants to do is win,” Suzuki said. “We have certainly prepared us for this possibility moving into the future.”
Hughes previously discussed contract negotiations.
“I was asked if the fan base should be concerned,” Hughes said on TSN690. “The simple thing I can say is that you have to be concerned when a player is currently an unrestricted free agent, and Hutson won’t be for a long time. So, we’ll figure it out one way or another.”
Analysts on Lane Hutson’s value and special contract approach for Canadiens
TSN analyst Frankie Corrado explained that Len Hutson may deserve a higher average salary than Noah Dobson because he is the most important defenseman on the team.
“If I look at where Len Hutson fits into that, he’s the most important defenseman on the team,” Corrado said He said Thursday via “First Up.” “Probably the most productive defender on the team.”
Carlo Colaiacovo added that Hutson could reach $10 million annually thanks to his performance and salary cap increase.
Meanwhile, Elliott Friedman highlighted that the Canadiens tried to keep the contract talks private to avoid major backlash on social media.
“Canadian fans were in a panic on social media about Len Hutson,” Friedman said He said On October 3 via the “32 Ideas” podcast. “One of my theories is that the Canadians were trying to keep this under wraps and get it done.”
The contract will keep Hutson in Montreal for years to come and part of its future plans.
Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez
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