Kent Hughes will have a big file on his table this summer.
That of Lane Hutson.
The defenseman will be able to sign a contract extension as of July 1st and the Canadiens have an interest in not delaying too much. Because if Kent Hughes waits until next year, when Hutson’s entry-level contract in the NHL ends, Hutson may cost even more…
We know that Lane Hutson will sign a contract that will earn him a lot of money, even if it happens this summer. He is part of the elite among offensive defensemen in the NHL – even if he is in his first season in the league – and he is already one of the most important players on the Montreal team.
Right now, he’s worth (a lot) more than his $950,000 salary on the habs’ payroll.
The amount of his next contract will attract attention, but we will also have to watch the length of the agreement. Nicolas Cloutier, in an article on TVA Sports, explains why it would be beneficial for him to sign a four-year agreement… which would bring him one year closer to full autonomy, in 2030.
A four-year contract would kick in in 2026 and in 2030, Hutson would still be a free agent with compensation:
Being eligible for an offer sheet in addition to having arbitration rights, Hutson would have incredible leverage in his negotiations with the Canadiens. – Nicolas Cloutier
But in all this, we must also wonder if the player is interested in following the same path as Jake Evans.
The Canadiens’ center recently signed a four-year contract extension that will earn him $2.85 million per season. He decided to agree with the habs for less money because he loves playing in Montreal and because he wants to grow with the team.
Kent Hughes was able to sell him a good plan and that allowed the habs’ GM to save money on the payroll for the coming years. Will he be able to do the same with Hutson… and will the latter want to accept “helping” his team at that level?
Because in fact, Hutson will probably have the upper hand in the discussions.
Especially after seeing Jakob Chychrun, a less offensively skilled defenseman and more often injured than Hutson, sign an eight-year contract with an annual value of $9 million.
Hutson has arguments to demand an astronomical salary. We know that the salary cap will increase and the habs organization also knows that he has the talent and potential to become not only one of the best defensemen, but also one of the best players in the National League.
Again, Kent Hughes will have a big file on his table.
But if the GM manages to sign him for several years at a more than respectable salary – as he did with Jake Evans, Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, we will all be able to celebrate in the city.
[spacer title=’In a lot’
– I doubt it.
– To be continued.
– Too bad.
– It’s on!
