James Guillory-Imagn Images

Lane Hutson Career Development Announced on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hunter Hodies | Last updated Oct 16, 2025 2:58 PM ET

Montreal Canadiens star defenseman Lane Hutson is fresh off signing a massive eight-year, $70.8 million extension ($8.85 million average annual value) this week.

The Canadiens wanted to get ahead of things because Hutson was expected to be a restricted free agent next season. This new deal will kick in for the 2026-27 season.

Hutson played his first full NHL season in 2024-25 after making his NHL debut at the end of the 2023-24 season, finishing with six goals and 66 points in 82 games. His 60 assists tied an NHL record for assists by a rookie defenseman. He established himself as a legit No. 1 defenseman and helped the Canadiens make the Stanley Cup playoffs before they lost to the Washington Capitals in the first round.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (48) considers his options with the puck.David Kirouac-Imagn Images

He is set to have a long future in the NHL, and there's a chance he could be on Team USA's 2026 Olympic team after his name was submitted to the expanded preliminary roster. This comes after he wasn't at the Olympic orientation camp in August.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko and forward Brock Boeser were also named to the expanded preliminary roster.

Team USA announced its first six skaters for the 2026 Olympic team back in June. They included Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy, Brady Tkachuk and Matthew Tkachuk.

Hutson will have to wait until Dec. 31 to find out if he will be on the Olympic roster because that's when the final roster is announced. This is the first time NHL players will be at the Olympic Games since Sochi in 2014, when Team Canada won the gold medal in the men's ice hockey tournament.

The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from Feb. 6-22 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. The U.S. men's hockey team will be in a group with Germany, Latvia and Denmark.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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