Contract negotiations between young defenseman Lane Hutson and the Montreal Canadiens have reached a critical point, marked by disagreements over salary and contract length. According to recent reports from Sportsnet journalist Chris Johnston, general manager Kent Hughes is refusing to go beyond the $10 million per season threshold, aiming to preserve the team’s internal salary structure.
“Lane Hutson negotiations: I think they’re really focused on the Montreal side…on trying to keep their team structure in place; they’re not taking him to $10m, at least at this point,” Johnston said on The Chris Johnston Show, confirming what many had suspected: Hughes has no intention of disrupting the locker room balance, where Nick Suzuki remains the benchmark with his $7.875 million annual contract.
But salary isn’t the only sticking point. TSN’s Darren Dreger revealed another major issue: contract length.
While Hutson’s camp is reportedly pushing for a six-year deal, the Canadiens are insisting on the maximum allowed—eight years. This difference is far from trivial. A six-year deal would take Hutson straight to unrestricted free agency just as he hits his prime, allowing him to leave Montreal without any compensation. A scenario Hughes clearly finds unacceptable.
In short, negotiations are becoming increasingly complex, and all signs point to more turbulence ahead before both sides reach an agreement.