The Montreal Canadiens have secured the services of Lane Hutson, the NHL’s reigning rookie of the year, by signing him to an eight-year contract extension worth $70.8 million US. The new deal will come into effect starting from the 2026-27 season, following the expiration of Hutson’s rookie contract, and will run through to 2033-34. Hailing from Michigan, the 21-year-old defenseman was drafted in the second round of the 2022 NHL draft from Boston University.
During his debut full NHL season, Hutson made a significant impact by setting a franchise record for most points in a single season by a rookie with 66 points and equaling the team’s highest number of assists with 60. He led all rookie players in total points, power-play points with 26, and also maintained an average ice time of 22 minutes and 44 seconds across 82 games.
Hutson’s contributions were instrumental in propelling the youthful and rebuilding Canadiens back to playoff contention last season, marking the team’s first playoff appearance in four years. His stellar performance earned him the prestigious Calder Trophy, making him the seventh player in Canadiens history to claim the award and the first since Ken Dryden in the 1971-72 season.
