One of the 2026 RFA's that will be the most fascinating to watch this upcoming season is Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson. The 2025 Calder winner is expected to enjoy a productive sophomore season with the Habs.
The 21 year old dman is entering the final year of his entry level contract. With some of the big ticket $9 million extensions given to fellow young defenseman such as Luke Hughes and Jackson LaCombe, it leaves on the table a potential massive Lane Huston deal that will soon be on the horizon.
The Canadiens and Huston's camp have been talking this offseason about what his next deal will look like. But based on recent concerning reports, it does not sound like an agreement will be found soon.
What is the latest on Lane Hutson?
Via insider Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts, contract negotiations between Lane Huston and the Canadiens have been placed on "timeout." Apparently, the contract conversations have gotten heated over time.
This is not the update Montreal Canadiens fans would look to hear. The sooner the Canadiens can get a deal done with their franchise defenseman the better. But in an ever changing NHL marketplace, the contract landscape has never been more complicated.
Perhaps, the Huston camp is looking at the hefty paydays that have been handed out to defensemen in a comparable career situation as Huston and believe Lane should be making significantly more than those players given his rookie of the year status. Time will tell what the Huston contract looks like in Montreal.