"With the NHL salary cap rapidly rising, New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes was the first of many young stars to receive a massive payday, and has set the bar for what could be a massive deal for the Canadiens Lane Hutson."
"As chatter around Hutson's next deal becomes even more common by the day, anywhere between the range of $8 to $11 million looks more than plausible now after Hughes's deal, and it would be a surprise if he takes a hefty chunk of the cap next summer."
"Following his extension, Hughes now becomes one of the highest paid defensemen in the league at $9 million AAV, the same AAV as Cale Makar who is arguably the NHL's best D-man, and now has an even greater salary than the likes of Brock Faber and Jake Sanderson."
"It is now becoming clear that with how fast the cap is rising, it isn't crazy at all to suggest that Hutson can easily fetch $10 million AAV, and if Montreal is where he wants to be, and where he sees his future, he could be looking at anywhere from a $70-80 million contract."
The NHL salary cap is rising to $104 million, increasing contract flexibility for teams and players. Luke Hughes signed an extension worth $9 million AAV, elevating market value for young defensemen. Lane Hutson is in the final year of his rookie deal and will likely begin receiving offers on July 1 next summer. Projected contract range for Hutson is roughly $8–11 million AAV, with $10 million AAV and a $70–80 million total contract possible. Hutson has become a top-pair defenseman, powerplay quarterback, and elite point scorer for the Canadiens. A bridge deal remains possible, but summer 2026 could bring a major payday.
Read at Puck Prose
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