The Montreal Canadiens had a stellar year in 2024/25, as did rookie Lane Hutson, and now, the team need to move fast to lock him down to a new contract.
This past year was a massive success for the Montreal Canadiens, and with their young core coming together, it’s safe to say that fans are incredibly excited about the direction of the franchise moving forward.
However, this off-season is going to be a tough one, with the team needing to make some huge decisions about this team heading into 2025/26, with many believing a good off-season could turn them into a genuine contender ahead of next season.
One thing they’ll have to deal with is a long-term extension for Lane Huston, who is eligible for a new deal on July 1st, with GM Kent Hughes noting they’re looking into getting a deal done soon.
“For sure we’ll talk to his agent. I saw that he mentioned he’d like to get his contract settled sooner rather than later. So we’ll call his agent and we’ll see. But it’s not like it’s a priority. I find it’s important to communicate, to learn what’s important to Lane, and from there we’ll see if there’s a way to agree on a contract. With Cole, we waited to the end of his (entry-level) contract. With Slaf and Guhle, it happened with a year left. So, I think we’ll start talking and see where it goes.”
The electric young defenseman took to the NHL like a fish to water, and immediately made an impact on transforming this team into a Stanley Cup Playoffs team, and now, he’s set to be rewarded.
That doesn’t mean they’ll rush to get a deal done on day one of his eligibility however, but at some point this summer, the team will need to decide what Hutson is worth moving forward, with a big, big deal looming.