The Unspoken Truth About Lane Hutson’s Contract with the Montreal Canadiens

0 Sara Smith October 12, 2025

The Montreal Canadiens and Lane Hutson’s camp have made a wise decision to take their contract negotiations private. In a hockey-mad market like Montreal, every rumors becomes a headline, and for a young, rising star like Hutson, the constant speculation can be a heavy burden. As someone who has followed the league for years, I’ve seen how public contract disputes can derail a player’s focus and, ultimately, their performance. By shutting down the public chatter, both sides are allowing Hutson to do what he does best: play hockey.

The Pressure Cooker of Montreal

Let’s be clear, the pressure on a young player in Montreal is unlike anywhere else in the NHL. The fans are passionate and knowledgeable, but that passion can quickly turn to scrutiny. With recent contracts for similar defensemen like Luke Hughes and Jackson LaCombe setting the market, the spotlight on Hutson’s negotiations was only going to intensify.

The comparisons are inevitable, and the numbers being thrown around – between $9 million and $10 million AAV – are enough to make anyone’s head spin, let alone a 21-year-old. Taking these discussions behind closed doors is a proactive move to protect their most valuable asset.

What This Means for the Canadiens

This move is a sign of good faith from both the Canadiens and Hutson’s representatives. It shows a mutual understanding of the situation and a desire to get a deal done without unnecessary drama. For the fans, it’s a reminder that the organization is committed to building a winning team with Hutson as a cornerstone.

While the NHL trade rumors will inevitably surface the longer this goes on, let me be unequivocal: the Canadiens will not trade Lane Hutson. He is the future of their blue line, and both he and the team know it. This period of quiet negotiation is not a sign of trouble, but rather a sign of professionalism.