Hutson agrees to 8-year, $70.8M deal with Habs

"Reigning Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson has agreed to an eight-year, $70.8 million extension with the Montreal Canadiens, the team announced Monday. The deal comes after prolonged negotiations over the summer between the American-born defenseman and the Canadiens. Talks intensified over the weekend with a focus on getting Hutson signed so he and the team can get off to a good start. The deal, which carries an $8.85 million AAV, includes $55 million in signing bonus money, sources told ESPN."

"The 21-year-old is coming off a historic season for the Canadiens. He scored six goals and 60 assists -- the most assists by a rookie defenseman in NHL history. He became Montreal's first rookie of the year since the late Ken Dryden won in 1972. Hutson became the fourth defenseman to lead rookies in scoring, following Bobby Orr, Brian Leetch and Quinn Hughes."

"He became Montreal's first rookie of the year since the late Ken Dryden won in 1972. Hutson became the fourth defenseman to lead rookies in scoring, following Bobby Orr, Brian Leetch and Quinn Hughes. Huston is a 2022 second-round pick of the Canadiens. He joined the team after two years at Boston University. Hutson's new contract falls in line with other deals young defensemen signed ahead of the season."

Lane Hutson signed an eight-year, $70.8 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens that carries an $8.85 million average annual value and $55 million in signing bonuses. Negotiations extended through the summer and intensified over a weekend to finalize the deal before the season. The 21-year-old recorded six goals and 60 assists, the most assists by a rookie defenseman in NHL history, and won the Calder Trophy. Hutson became Montreal's first rookie of the year since 1972 and the fourth defenseman to lead rookies in scoring. He was a 2022 second-round pick and joined the team after two years at Boston University.

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