It took longer than either side would've liked, but Lane Hutson has signed a long-term contract extension with the Montreal Canadiens.
Given the massive amounts of money that had been thrown around the NHL in recent weeks, the temperature really started to turn up on this situation.
Young defensemen Luke Hughes and Jackson LaCombe were among those to earn huge extensions, which put all of the pressure and spotlight on Hutson and the Habs, and recent reports had suggested that nothing was close and negotiations were getting messy.
However, Monday morning's news puts all of that to bed as Hutson signed an eight-year, $70.8 million contract with the Canadiens. He will make $8.85 million in average annual salary, coming in lower than both Hughes and LaCombe's $9 million AAV.
The Montreal Canadiens shared the full details of the contract on X (formerly Twitter).
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on an eight-year contract extension (2026-27 to 2033-34) with defenseman Lane Hutson.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 13, 2025
News release ↓ #GoHabsGo https://t.co/QlsTMalOwd
The 21-year-old has just begun the third and final season of the three-year, $2.85 million entry-level contract he signed with the Canadiens in 2024.
He's coming off a magical rookie campaign where he won the Calder Trophy thanks to his six goals and 60 assists, good for 66 points in 82 games played.
Hutson wanted it done
While some felt this negotiation had the potential to drag out, it was Lane Hutson who ensured it didn't last any longer.
TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun shared more details about the extension on X.
"Hutson deal started to come together Saturday going into Sunday. Deal includes $55 million in signing bonus money. Bottom line is Lane Hutson didn't want his situation to be a distraction for the team all year. Wanted to get it done," LeBrun wrote.
Hutson deal started to come together Saturday going into Sunday. Deal includes $55 million in signing bonus money.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 13, 2025
Bottom line is Lane Hutson didn't want his situation to be a distraction for the team all year. Wanted to get it done.
Hutson hadn't looked quite like himself through the first three games of the new season, recording just one assist in that span, which had everyone wondering if the contract drama was affecting him.
That might have been the case, but now both Hutson and the Canadiens can put it in the rearview mirror and continue their ascent in the Atlantic Division for years to come.