2:49 p.m.: Hutson’s ELC carries the maximum $950K cap hit, per PuckPedia. The full breakdown is as follows:
2023-24: $855K base salary, $95K signing bonus
2024-25: $855K base salary, $95K signing bonus, $750K Schedule ’A’ performance bonuses
2025-26: $885K base salary, $95K signing bonus, $850K Schedule ’A’ performance bonuses
In a follow-up note, PuckPedia added that the maximum amount of ’A’ cumulative bonuses Hutson can earn on the contract is $1.15MM over the two seasons.
1:26 p.m.: The Canadiens have signed top defense prospect Lane Hutson to an entry-level contract, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports Friday.
The 20-year-old’s sophomore season at Boston University ended yesterday when the Terriers were eliminated in the semifinals of the NCAA national championship, upset 2-1 in overtime by Denver. Hutson won’t make his NHL debut tomorrow against the Senators but could suit up in their two remaining contests against the Red Wings, says Sportsnet’s Eric Engels.
Montreal confirmed it’s a three-year deal beginning immediately for Hutson, meaning he’ll be an RFA upon expiry in 2026. They didn’t disclose financial terms.
Hutson, a left-shot, landed first in the Canadiens prospect pool in Scott Wheeler’s 2024 rankings for The Athletic, continuing a meteoric rise in the diminutive defender’s stock. Many public scouts viewed him as a potential first-round selection in the 2022 draft but slipped all the way to Montreal at 62nd overall, late in the second round, with many clubs scared off by his 5’8″ frame. He’s now listed at 5’10” and 161 lbs nearly two years later.
It’s been an exemplary two years for Hutson at BU. Serving as an alternate captain this season, he led all NCAA blue-liners in scoring with 49 points, tied with 2024 draft-eligible Zeev Buium, who’s now moving on to the national championship game tomorrow with Denver. His 1.29 points per game were solely in first place, making him a Hobey Baker Award nominee for the top collegiate player for a second straight season.
He put up quite similar totals in his freshman campaign, earning him Hockey East All-Star credits in both seasons. His 48 points in 39 games in 2022-23 broke Hall-of-Famer Brian Leetch’s records for the most points by a U-19 defenseman in an NCAA season. The Illinois-born defender has also suited up for Team USA in each of the last two World Junior Championships, winning bronze in 2023 and gold in 2024 while totaling a goal and nine assists across 14 tournament games.
Some concerns remain about his undersized frame and his lack of ability to box out NHL forwards in front of his own net, likely dampening his long-term value only slightly. He’s still a possession monster and an incredibly high-volume shooter with excellent agility and playmaking skills, and he has first-pair upside if partnered with a larger, defensively intelligent blue-liner. Even if he can’t handle those minutes at even strength, he’s a slam dunk to quarterback the Habs’ top power play unit in the near future.
Hutson will likely remain in the NHL next season but will need to unseat other young Montreal defenders like Justin Barron, Jayden Struble, Arber Xhekaj, or the older Johnathan Kovacevic for a roster spot. All are either signed for next season or otherwise under team control.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Will be a Rockstar in 2 years 60 to 75 pt dman…and I am not a Habs fan either
I imagine he gets all the signing bonus as its a bonus for signing right PHR? Unlike his salary thats pro-rated for games remaining that he is on the 23 man roster for.
Correct, signing bonuses are paid in full so Hutson will receive the full amount. He’ll receive the pro-rated salary based on the number of days he’s on the roster after the contract is officially registered.
Im hoping the habs get 2 gifted goal scoring type players this draft coming. Draft the best goal scorer with there top 7 pick and trade there other 1st rounder along with 1 or 2 young LD for another young NHL player with goal scoring talent. I see Hutson as a PP QB on the 1st unit and maybe a 3D otherwise. We have to see how he deals with the massive bodies in the NHL. He obviously wont be able to clear the crease very well but he is known for being very elusive and having a massive hockey IQ. The kid oozes talent so very worst case scenario for his carrer he gets every O-zone start, is the PP QB and plays lots of mins late in games where the team is down. Ideally he would be paired with a big bodied Defense partner with some wheels maybe Logan Mallioux is that guy. I think Xhakej, Ghule, Hutson, Mallioux, Matheson and Savard or Barron make up the defense next year