Well another domino has fallen, as the list of upcoming monster 2026 free agents keeps shrinking. Today in news the Montreal Canadiens are proud to announce that defenceman Lane Hutson signs a big contract extension with the club. The deal is for eight years. Also, it carries an average annual value of $8.85 million. This means Hutson won’t become a free agent until the summer of 2034.
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on an eight-year contract extension (2026-27 to 2033-34) with defenseman Lane Hutson.
News release ↓ #GoHabsGo https://t.co/QlsTMalOwd
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 13, 2025
Defenceman Lane Hutson Signs 8-Year Contract Extension
It has been a crazy couple weeks. With big names like Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, and Jack Eichel all signing massive contract extensions, another star does likewise. Lane Hutson of the Canadiens is using his amazing Calder Trophy-winning rookie season as leverage for big money. He showed last year, that despite his small stature, he has the skating and dynamic play to succeed in the NHL. He helps quarterback the Montreal Canadiens top power play unit. Something very noteworthy for a young defender in the NHL.
Last season in Montreal, Hutson had six goals, 60 assists, for 66 points in a full 82 games played. Also, he averaged 22:44 of ice time a game. His Corsi-For percent relative across all situations was an impressive 14.3%. This guy truly does it all offensively, from the backend. Once he finds rhythm with his right-d-man partner, and it helps to refine his all-around game, more so referring to the defensive side of things, his game has no limits.
Breaking It Down from a Player Perspective
Who is partner will be going forward, isn’t 100% known, given the early season troubles for Hutson. Conversely, the reasoning behind those troubles, was likely all the chat surrounding this very contract he just signed. Therefore, Hutson should be able to focus on hockey now.
Last year he played with a few guys regularly. Jayden Struble, Mike Matheson, and Kaiden Guhle all played with Hutson a fair bit. Of those three, it is interesting that he played well with Struble, who has yet to suit up for the Habs yet this season. So far, it has been Guhle with Hutson mostly. That has the potential to be an excellent pairing. Even if they are both left shots. Both play a very dynamic game, and love to drive the play. Regardless, there is still plenty of time to figure all those internal team details out, as this is still within the first week of the NHL schedule.
The very talented Hutson deserves this deal. It really is huge money for only a sophomore NHLer. However, Montreal envisions it to be great value in the back half of the contract. Hutson clearly has the offensive side down pat. Once he develops into a complete defenceman, he has the potential to be a perennial Norris Trophy candidate, as league’s top defenceman.
Main Photo Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
The post The Montreal Canadiens Have Made a Decision On Young Star Defenceman appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.