Is Lane Hutson Underpaid? Unpacking the Montreal Canadiens’ Latest Steal

0 Diana khan October 14, 2025

The hockey world is buzzing, and as someone who lives and breathes the NHL, I can tell you there’s a particular contract in Montreal that has everyone talking. Lane Hutson, a promising young defenseman, has just inked an 8-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens, and frankly, I’m more surprised by the term than the AAV of $8.85 million.

When you look at comparable contracts, such as Jackson LaCombe signing for $9 million AAV in Anaheim or Luke Hughes for the same in New Jersey, it’s easy to raise an eyebrow. What sets Hutson apart, you ask? He’s a Calder Trophy winner, a prestigious honor neither LaCombe nor Hughes can claim. This alone suggests that Hutson, even at first glance, might be leaving some money on the table.

Why Lane Hutson’s Long-Term Commitment is a Masterstroke for the Habs

My initial thought was that an AAV of $8.85 million would secure Hutson for four years, allowing him to capitalize on a rising salary cap in his next deal. But an 8-year commitment at this number? That’s a statement. Hutson is clearly digging in with the Canadiens, signaling his desire to be a foundational piece for the future in Montreal. For the Canadiens, this is nothing short of a fantastic deal.

I’ve seen this before. We’ve discussed players like Jack Eichel and Kyle Connor, predicting they’d be underpaid within two years of their signings. It’s a similar story here with Lane Hutson. He is undeniably underpaid right now, and that value will only skyrocket as the salary cap continues its upward trajectory. He is a brilliant young player, and his potential is immense.

From a player’s perspective, it’s not always just about the absolute highest dollar figure. It’s about finding a situation where you can truly flourish and be happy. For Hutson, signing this long-term deal with the Montreal Canadiens at this number signifies that he believes this is the ideal environment for him to grow and achieve his potential. The stability, the city, and the opportunity to be a cornerstone player likely outweighed the immediate financial gain he might have pursued elsewhere.

In fact, if you asked me which was the bigger surprise – Connor McDavid taking $12.5 million from the Oilers, or Lane Hutson’s contract with the Habs – I’d lean heavily towards Hutson. McDavid’s deal ends when he’s 31, allowing him to cash in again when the cap is significantly higher. Hutson, however, is locked in at $8.85 million for eight years, meaning he won’t fully benefit from the rapidly increasing cap until much later. With the cap projected to hit $104 million next year and $113 million the year after, the money on the table for a player of Hutson’s caliber could have been substantially more. Yet, he chose stability and belief in the Canadiens’ vision. This is a win-win for both player and team, securing a star defenseman at an incredible value for Montreal.