What Luke Hughes’ Contract Means For Lane Hutson

Over time, it seems like similar star defenseman contracts are more based on the percentage of the cap rather than the amount that the player is making. This is why contracts are getting bigger and bigger as the cap goes up. In reality, Hughes is likely a really good comparison in terms of cap percentage-wise for Hutson, as both are expected to be star defensemen in the next decade with their respective teams. With that being said, Hughes’ $9 million cap hit is worth 9.42% of the salary cap for the 2025-26 season. The salary cap is expected to go up to $104 million for the 2026-27 season when Hutson’s new deal will kick in. To get the same percentage as Luke Hughes, the Canadiens would need to pay Hutson $9.8 million per season. 

When looking at the numbers, this seems like a fair deal that would allow the Habs flexibility going forward, as well as making Hutson the highest-paid player on the roster, at a salary that could keep both sides happy for the long term. If Hutson continues down this path, a $9.8 million annual salary would be an absolute steal for the Habs as it matures. Of course, that would likely be if Hutson signs a deal over the next few weeks. In the case that Hutson continues to dominate with the Canadiens this upcoming season, he will likely command even more money and look to possibly go over $10 million. 

There have been many deals that have seemed very expensive over the last off-season but with the Canadiens still owning 5 RFA years of RFA years for Hutson after this upcoming season, they won’t have to pay nearly as much value wise as they did for Dobson who only had 1 year left of RFA status when he signed his 8-year $9.5 million deal with the Habs earlier this summer. Knowing GM Kent Hughes, who is an elite contract negotiator, he could manage to keep Hutaon within the $9 million to $10 million range. 

It is also well known that Lane Hutson wants to be a part of the Canadiens for the long-term future. Not to mention being a smaller player (one bad hit could ruin his career more easily than a big player), it could mean that Hutson will be looking to sign for the maximum amount of years to give himself security as long as possible. Therefore, it is very possible that he’d want to sign before the end of the season to take advantage of the 8-year contract option. As of next summer, players will only be able to sign 7-year max contracts. 

Although negotiating a contract during a season can often make play go south, with a workhorse like Lane Hutson, that shouldn’t happen so maybe we see a contract of 8 years around $80 million signed during the regular season. One thing is for sure: he needs to be locked up as long as possible, as he’s the team’s best player right now. 

While the Luke Hughes contract will have some implications on how much Lane Hutson will sign for, it’s not the dollar amount but more so the percentage of the cap that will be what counts in negotiations. Still, we should expect Hutson’s amount to come in a little higher on the cap percentage, due to his impact on the team.

How much do you believe Luke Hughes’ new contract affects Hutson’s contract negotiations?