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

On Wednesday, Hughes signed a seven-year, $63 million deal with the New Jersey Devils, carrying an average annual value (AAV) of $9 million. This high-value contract has sparked discussions about its potential impact on Hutson’s extension talks.

Insiders Arpon Basu and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic weighed in on the situation. Basu noted that while Hughes’s contract provides useful context, the full influence on Hutson’s negotiations might take time to become clear. “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.”

Both young defensemen have shown impressive performance. Hughes, 22, recorded 44 points in 71 regular-season games last year. Meanwhile, Hutson, 21, not only won the Calder Trophy but also tallied six goals and 60 points with a -2 defensive rating, notably better than Hughes’s -9 rating.

Pierre LeBrun shared additional insights: “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. His outstanding rookie season, combined with Hughes’s lucrative deal, has set a high bar. Across the NHL, elite young defensemen are commanding substantial salaries, so the Canadiens will need to balance long-term value with broader team priorities.

### Insights on Lane Hutson’s Future Contract

Hutson’s rookie contract with the Canadiens expires in 2026, and he will become a restricted free agent after the 2025-26 season. NHL analyst Jimmy Murphy discussed the situation on *The Sick Podcast* with Tony Marinaro in August, saying, “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 also pointed out that another strong performance could drive Hutson’s price even higher: “If Hutson produces again, the Canadiens will need to pay more.”

Similarly, NHL.com analyst Dan Rosen commented 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.”

Lane Hutson is part of a promising young Canadiens defense corps alongside Kaiden Guhle and David Reinbacher. His continued development will make him a key player in Montreal’s future plans.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/nhl/news-nhl-insiders-weighs-luke-hughes-63m-deal-impact-lane-hutson-contract-talks