The Montreal Canadiens have burst through the preseason with impressive victories over Toronto and Ottawa. While their forward group looks rejuvenated, a contract standoff with prized prospect Lane Hutson threatens to dampen the optimism.
The defenseman emerged as one of last season’s breakout stars, capturing the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie. Yet as contract negotiations drag on, one insider believes Hutson holds virtually no leverage in these discussions.
Insider Believes Canadiens Have Upper Hand in Lane Hutson’s Negotiations
Hutson’s sensational form from last season was on full display on Wednesday, October 1, as the Canadiens dominated the Ottawa Senators with a solid 5-0 win. However, while the internet was buzzing with his goal and assist combo of the night, New Jersey’s latest announcement put a damper on Hutson.
The Devils locked up restricted free agent Luke Hughes to a seven-year, $63 million extension at $9M annually. Meanwhile, Hutson enters the final year of his entry-level deal still unsigned, with no contract resolution in sight.
The Athletic‘s Arpon Basu believes the Calder winner has little leverage heading into negotiations. Despite posting 66 points and playing a pivotal role in Montreal’s playoff push last season, Hutson faces an uphill battle securing a top-dollar deal. Basu even believes finding the right number will prove challenging for both sides.
“Aside from the deferral deadline, Hutson has very little leverage,” he explained. “He has one year left on his contract, and even at the end of this season, he will be a 10.2.c restricted free agent.”
Basu noted that Hutson remains two years away from arbitration eligibility, making him ineligible for offer sheets. The insider believes Hutson’s only real leverage point will come next summer at the 2026 training camp, when he’s closer to unrestricted free agency.
Basu pointed to recent precedents: Hughes and Mason McTavish waited until they had more negotiating power before signing extensions with New Jersey and Anaheim, respectively.
“It is not difficult to foresee a world where the Hutson negotiation will eventually be resolved, then, once the leverage imbalance evens out a little bit,” Basu explained.
However, Basu cautioned against Montreal fully exploiting its negotiating advantage. “Now, it’s fair to ask whether it’s worth it for the Canadiens to fully flex their leverage with a player who is a big part of their future,” he added.
He even brought up P. K. Subban’s example and how the relationship between him and the Canadiens never recovered after the defenseman was forced to get an arbitration hearing.
Basu believes that a lot of factors will impact Hutson’s eventual contract negotiations, and while money will be a big factor, it won’t be the only factor. All in all, both Hutson and the Canadiens will only get the full picture once the training camp starts next year.
For now, though, Hutson and the Habs turn their attention to the season’s opening day next Wednesday, on October 8, when Montreal takes on the Maple Leafs in Toronto.
