Canadiens D Lane Hutson signs 8-year, $70.8M extension

The Montreal Canadiens locked up defenseman Lane Hutson with an eight-year, $70.8 million contract extension on Monday.

The deal starts with the 2026-27 season and carries an average annual value of $8.85 million through 2033-34. It's a significant spike from his $950,000 salary this season, the finale of his three-year, $4.45 million rookie deal.

Hutson, 21, set a franchise record for a rookie defenseman last season with 66 points (six goals, 60 assists). His 60 assists tied the all-time NHL record for a rookie blueliner set by the Los Angeles Kings' Larry Murphy in 1980-81.

Hutson was rewarded with the Calder Memorial Trophy, becoming the first Montreal player to win top rookie honors since Ken Dryden in 1971-72.

A second-round pick (62nd overall) at the 2022 NHL Draft, Hutson has recorded one assist through three games this season.