The Montreal Canadiens have signed a lucrative new contract with Lane Hutson, their standout defenseman who was named NHL rookie of the year last season. The eight-year deal, worth US$70.8 million, will see the 21-year-old Hutson earning an average annual salary of US$8.85 million from 2026-27 to 2033-34. Currently, the Michigan native is making US$950,000 for this season.
In his impressive rookie season, Hutson made a significant impact by scoring six goals and contributing 60 assists in 82 games for the Habs. He led the team in assists and emerged as the top rookie in the NHL for points, assists, power-play points (26), and average ice time (22:44).
Setting records along the way, Hutson’s 66 points made him the highest-scoring rookie defenseman in Canadiens history, while his 60 assists equaled the league record for assists by a rookie blueliner, previously held by Larry Murphy in 1980-81.
Hutson’s outstanding performance earned him the prestigious Calder Memorial Trophy, making him only the seventh player in Canadiens history, and the first since Ken Dryden in 1971-72, to receive this award given to the most outstanding rookie player.
Montreal chose Hutson in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2022 NHL draft.
