The Montreal Canadiens could be the next club to extend an up-and-coming blueliner to a massive extension.
Following the megadeals of New Jersey Devils Luke Hughes and Anaheim Ducks Jackson LaCombe, it seems that the next shoe to drop will be Lane Hutson.
The expectation is that the $9 million AAV for both Hughes and LaCombe will be the yardstick used to gauge Hutson’s new contract. The 21-year-old had a tremendous rookie campaign, taking home the Calder Trophy.
This season, the Canadiens have a top-pairing D-man in the fold in Noah Dobson. Dobson joined the club following a trade with the New York Islanders. Beyond Dobson, the Canadiens will be looking to lock down their future franchise rearguard for the long haul.
While the Habs would like to get a deal done ASAP, there’s really no rush. As Marco D’Amico of RG Media pointed out in an October 3 piece, Hutson is a 10.2(c) RFA. That means that given his gave and service time, he’s ineligible for an offer sheet or arbitration.
In other words, Hutson and the Canadiens must work something out, or Hutson sits until they do. It’s pretty much that simple.
Of course, neither side is looking for things to get to that point. That’s why getting a deal done now would be the best approach for both sides.
Canadiens Could Offer Hutson More Despite Similar AAV
The Montreal Canadiens could offer Lane Hutson much more in terms of take-home salary despite a similar AAV to LaCombe and Hughes.
As D’Amico discussed in his piece, the Canadiens could offer a creative salary structure that includes retirement accounts and signing bonuses that could maximize Hutson’s post-tax pay. The arrangements have been a staple of Canadian franchises as they look to compete with no-income-tax states like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee.
That situation could allow Hutson to actually earn more on his next contract compared to Hughes and LaCombe. As a result, the Canadiens could keep Hutson in the fold without having to surpass the $10 million AAV as some other analysts and insiders have predicted.
While the Canadiens may still go down the $10 million route, the team won’t have to push the envelope just yet. The Habs can afford to keep the cap hit relatively low. The salary structure potentially in place for Hutson’s next contract could facilitate that.
Deal Could Happen Much Sooner than Expected
There’s no rush to get an extension in the fold, the Canadiens could push to get the contract in soon. The rationale is that other key areas are pressing on the team’s agenda.
The Canadiens are still reportedly in the market for a top-six center. They could also be looking for additional help on the blue line and goal. So, GM Kent Hughes might still have some work to do this season.
That’s why getting Lane Hutson’s extension out of the way now could be a good move from an organizational perspective. Perhaps both sides can reach an agreement before the start of the season on October 8.
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