Luke Hughes’s new contract could play a significant role in defenseman Lane Hutson’s upcoming contract negotiations with the Montreal Canadiens.

On Wednesday, Hughes signed a seven-year, $63 million deal with the New Jersey Devils, which carries an average annual value (AAV) of $9 million. This high-profile contract has added new context to discussions surrounding Hutson, who is also entering the final season of his rookie contract.

Insiders Arpon Basu and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic weighed in on the implications of Hughes’s contract for Hutson’s extension. Basu noted that while Hughes’s deal offers useful insight, it may take time to fully understand its impact. “There are more factors impacting the Hutson negotiation than money,” Basu wrote. “And while the Hughes contract in New Jersey adds context to the discussion, it’s possible we won’t know just how impactful it is for some time yet.”

Looking at their performances, Hughes, 22, recorded 44 points in 71 regular-season games last year. Hutson, 21, enjoyed a standout rookie season, winning the Calder Trophy after compiling 66 points — including six goals and 60 assists. Defensively, Hutson finished the season with a -2 rating, outperforming Hughes’s -9 rating.

Pierre LeBrun added perspective on the negotiation process: “Everyone involved in the Hutson negotiations has been very tight-lipped about how things have played out so far, but I believe the Canadiens have been aggressive in their approach to this point.”

Hutson’s next contract will undoubtedly be a major focus for Montreal. With his impressive rookie campaign and Hughes’s substantial deal setting a high benchmark, elite young defensemen like Hutson are commanding increasingly lucrative salaries across the NHL. The Canadiens will need to strike a balance between long-term value and their broader team priorities as they navigate these negotiations.

### Insights from NHL Analysts on Lane Hutson’s Future Contract

Lane Hutson’s rookie contract with the Montreal Canadiens expires in 2026, making him a restricted free agent after the 2025-26 season.

NHL analyst Jimmy Murphy spoke about the situation on The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro in August. “I don’t know when they do it, but I think it’s in their back pocket, and Hutson knows that the team knows it’s just understood,” Murphy said. He also mentioned that another strong season could raise Hutson’s market value: “If Hutson produces again, the Canadiens will need to pay more.”

Similarly, NHL.com analyst Dan Rosen shared his view on August 1: “If he builds on his Calder Trophy-winning season, it’ll be a mega deal, likely exceeding Dobson’s $9.5 million AAV.”

### Hutson’s Role in Montreal’s Defensive Core

Lane Hutson is part of a promising young Canadiens defense, alongside Kaiden Guhle and David Reinbacher. His continued development will be pivotal to Montreal’s future success.

As negotiations progress, Canadiens fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team manages to retain one of its brightest defensive talents amid rising salary benchmarks across the league.
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