When Lane Hutson signed his eight-year, $70.8 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens earlier this month, most analysts said the team had landed a bargain. However, only days later, the Dallas Stars handed Thomas Harley an even bigger deal of eight years at $84 million, sparking one of the liveliest debates in the NHL.
Both defensemen represent the next wave of elite blueliners, yet their price tags have prompted fans and insiders to ask the same question: which team came out on top?
Is Lane Hutson’s $70.8M Deal a Bargain Compared to Thomas Harley’s $84M Extension?
The comparisons began almost immediately after Dallas announced Harley’s extension. Hutson, just 21, fresh off a Calder Trophy season, will earn an average annual value (AAV) of $8.85 million. Harley, 24, secured $10.587 million per season, making him the Stars’ highest-paid defenseman and second only to Mikko Rantanen on the roster.
Online reactions captured how quickly the conversation shifted.
“Lane Hutson (elite 21-year-old offensive LHD) gets $8.85M in Quebec. Thomas Harley (good 24-year-old offensive LHD) gets $10.5M in Texas. Alright,” one fan shared.
Lane Hutson (elite 21 year old offensive LHD) gets 8.85M in Quebec
Thomas Harley (good 24 year old offensive LHD) gets 10.5M in TexasAlright
— bamboozle (@ibamboozIe) October 28, 2025
Another fan drew a more straightforward comparison, writing, “Thomas Harley > Lane Hutson pretty simple. Played Team Canada for a reason and will again. For one thing he can play defence as a no. 1 dman. Also has a big shot. 23 minutes/game. 6’3 smooth skating. 14 Pts in 18 playoff games. on pace for 73 pts two seasons of 15& 16 goals.”
Thomas Harley > Lane Hutson pretty simple
Played Team Canada for a reason and will again
For one thing he can play defence as a no. 1 dman
Also has a big shot
23 minutes/game
6’3 smooth skating
14 Pts in 18 playoff games
on pace for 73 pts two seasons of 15& 16 goals pic.twitter.com/3TisU0J51f— Michael Devellano Pucks & Dreams 🏒 (@pucksanddreams_) October 29, 2025
Analytics-minded users added that Hutson’s deal may be one of the most efficient contracts in the league.
“Lane took a massive discount,” one post read.
Lane took a massive discount.
— The Analytic Hab (@TheAnalyticHab) October 29, 2025
Another pointed out Montreal’s smart cap management: “No state tax in Texas. Habs management is genius. They have signed six top players at a discount.”
No Stae tax in Texas. Habs management is genius . That have signed 6 top players at a discount .
— J. Marc St. Pierre (@SaintP_59) October 29, 2025
Hutson’s extension, worth $70.8 million over eight years, locks him in through 2034. The 21-year-old defenseman recorded six goals and 60 assists last season, tying an NHL rookie record for assists by a defenseman. His poise, vision, and skating made him a centerpiece of Montreal’s rebuild under GM Kent Hughes.
Meanwhile, Harley’s $84.696 million extension marks another major step in Dallas’s long-term plan to secure its defensive core. The 6-foot-3 defender logged a career-high 50 points last season and 14 points in 18 playoff games. His AAV places him among the NHL’s top four highest-paid defensemen beginning next season.
Evaluating Lane Hutson vs. Thomas Harley
Harley’s decision to stay in Dallas reportedly stemmed from his belief that the team could win the Stanley Cup. His new deal also includes a full no-movement clause after the first three years.
While his contract reflects his experience and size, Hutson’s represents long-term value. The Canadiens maintained cap flexibility, with his $8.85 million hit amounting to just over eight percent of next season’s projected cap. Analysts note that Hutson’s deal will only look better for the team as the salary cap rises.
Ultimately, both signings highlight how teams are betting big on young defensemen. However, Montreal may have pulled off the bigger win by securing a franchise cornerstone for less than the market rate in pure dollar-for-dollar terms.
