After a record-setting rookie season, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson is already drawing speculation about a potential contract that could reshape the market for young blueliners.
Hutson, 21, earned the 2025 Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best rookie after finishing with 66 points, including 60 assists, in his first full professional season.
The Habs defenseman ranked third among Canadiens players in scoring and averaged nearly 25 minutes of ice time in five playoff games, scoring five points.
NHL.com analyst Dan Rosen believes that if Hutson continues this trajectory, his next deal will place him atop the Canadiens' salary ranks.
"Hutson will need a new contract after this season," Rosen wrote. "If he builds on his Calder Trophy-winning season, it’ll be a mega deal, likely exceeding Noah Dobson’s $9.5 million AAV."
The Canadiens acquired Dobson, 25, via trade from the New York Islanders at the end of June and instantly signed him to an eight-year, $76 million contract. He will carry a $9.5 million annual cap hit for the duration of his deal.
Hutson, meanwhile, is signed through 2025–26 at a modest $950,000 cap hit as part of his entry-level contract with the Canadiens.
If Rosen's predictions turn into a reality, then Hutson's next deal would reshape the Canadiens’ cap structure.
Dobson is currently the highest-paid player in the Canadiens roster, with forward Patrik Laine's $8.7 million cap hit the closest to Dobson's $9.5 million figure.
Montreal’s blue line is built under a core featuring Hutson, Dobson, Kaiden Guhle, Jayden Struble, and yet-to-debut David Reinbacher, all of them 25 or younger.
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