Lane Hutson Drops a Bombshell on Montreal Canadiens and SHOCKED EVERYONE!
It’s late summer, just weeks before the new hockey season, and something big is happening in Montreal. Lane Hudson’s talks with the Montreal Canadians have taken a sharp turn. The numbers being discussed are as high as the biggest deals in the league. This sudden move has caught the attention of players, teams, and fans across the NHL. What happens next could change the Canadians defense for years. Lane Hudson is set to play the last season of his three-year rookie contract with the Montreal Canadians. This contract began after the Canadians picked him in the second round of the 2022 NHL draft. The deal started in the 2023 to 24 season and runs through the end of the 2025-26 season. When it ends, Hudson will be a restricted free agent. A restricted free agent or RFA is a player whose contract has ended but whose rights are still held by his team. Under NHL rules, this means the Canadians will be able to match any offer from another team or receive draft picks as payment if he signs elsewhere. NHL analyst Jimmy Murphy spoke about Hudson’s contract future in a recent report. Murphy said, “You’re going to get treated well. It’s in their back pocket.” This means that both Hudson and the Canadians already have a clear idea of what will happen when talks begin. Reports from multiple sources say the Canadians plan to keep Hudson on a long-term deal. The new contract could look like the one the New York Islanders gave defenseman Noah Dobson. Eight years, $8.5 million per season. Hudson’s rookie season gave the Canadians a reason to act fast. He scored 66 points in 82 games. This included 60 assists. For his strong season, Hudson won the Calder Memorial Trophy. This award is given every year to the NHL’s top rookie. He was the first Canadians defenseman to win it since Larry Robinson in 1973. Hudson played a big role in every game. His average ice time was more than 22 minutes per game, one of the highest for rookie defenseman in the league. He played on the first power play unit and was used in many key situations. The Canadians plan to sign him long-term fits their strategy with other young players. By signing early, they can keep a core player in place and know the exact cost for years to come. The Canadians control of his rights after next season gives them time. An RFA can only leave if another team makes an offer and the player accepts it. Something that happens rarely in today’s NHL. The NHL salary cap has been going up in recent seasons and more increases are expected. This may affect when the Canadians choose to start talks. A bigger cap gives them more room to work with when making a long-term deal. Hudson’s rookie year also showed his value in more than just points. He had a plus minus rating of plus 18 and ranked in the top three among Canadians defensemen for blocked shots. His smooth puck movement helped the team get the puck out of their zone and start plays up the ice. Comparisons to Dobson are important. At the time of his deal, Dobson had just finished a 70point season and was considered one of the league’s top young defenseman. Hudson’s current cap hit is under $1 million a year because of the NHL entry-level contract rules. This is far below what his market value would be based on his rookie year. A long-term deal signed soon could save the Canadians money over time and keep their roster stable. Murphy’s comments also show that both sides want to avoid a messy negotiation. In the past, some young RFAS have missed training camp or even regular season games while waiting for a deal. These holdouts can hurt both the player and the team. Hudson’s quick rise is part of a trend in the NHL. Young defenseman with top- end offensive skill are making a big impact earlier in their careers. His ability to run a power play and create scoring plays has made him a key part of the Canadians plans. The salary for top defenseman has been climbing. A long-term deal for Hudson could be worth between $8 million and $9 million per year. A shorter deal, called a bridge contract, could be worth more per year, but would give him another chance at free agency sooner. The Canadians have until the summer of 2026 to sign him before his RFA status begins. The phrase from Murphy, you’re going to get treated well, makes it clear that the Canadians value Hudson highly. It’s in their back pocket means that both sides already have a plan for when the time comes. Hudson’s numbers, his award, and his place in team history mean that his next contract will be closely watched by the league. His transition to the NHL was immediate. In his first game, Hudson recorded an assist. Within his first 10 games, he had nine points. His ability to adapt to the speed and physical play of the NHL surprised many analysts. Throughout his rookie season, Hudson’s play against top competition stood out. Against division rivals like the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs, he often faced their best forwards and still posted strong numbers. By mid-season, he was playing in all situations, even penalty kill shifts, showing trust from the coaching staff. Montreal’s power play, which had struggled in past seasons, improved with Hudson at the point. His vision and quick passing helped create more scoring chances and better puck control. In the playoffs, Hudson continued to produce. He finished with eight points in 12 games, ranking second among all rookie defensemen in playoff scoring. The Canadians see him as a core piece for their next push toward being a contender. Locking him up to a long deal would match the approach other top teams have taken with their young stars. The coming season will be important. Another big year from Hudson could push the numbers even higher. But with both sides in agreement, a deal before next summer is possible. I think we just, you know, need to take steps as individuals. Um, you know, we’re a super young team. We got a lot of guys and I think that’s exciting just you know we all have so much room to grow and uh if personally I can take a step in my game and uh all these all these guys that are they’re starting their careers are a couple years in take another step you know we’re going to make it tough on teams and and that’s our goal and Connor Baddard has made a shocking announcement that no one expected with the 2025 to 26 season fast approaching the 19-year-old phenom’s future in Chicago is now in doubt his latest comments have left fans fans, reporters and analysts reeling. Could this be the end of his time with the Blackhawks? Stay tuned as we break down what just happened and what this means for the future of Baddard and the Blackhawks. It’s an Olympic year, obviously. How how much of a motivation is that for you to, you know, open everyone’s eyes and say, “Hey, I’m still here. I want to be on the Olympic team.” Connor Baddard’s rise to stardom has been nothing short of spectacular. The young forward who was selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL draft quickly became the face of the franchise. In his rookie season, Baddard wasted no time making an impact, racking up 61 points and winning the Calder Trophy as the league’s best rookie. By his second season, he was already producing at an elite level with 67 points in 82 games. But as the 2025 to 26 season approaches, everything has changed. Despite his individual success, the Blackhawks have struggled as a team. After finishing last in the Central Division for two straight years, the organization is still in the midst of a rebuilding process. With Bedard entering the final year of his entry level contract, many have begun to wonder what’s next for the young superstar. In a recent announcement, Baddard broke his silence and revealed exactly what everyone feared. Connor Baddard’s contract situation has been a topic of intense speculation. As the first overall pick in 2023, Baddard signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks, which is set to expire at the end of the 2025 to 2026 season. This means that Baddard is eligible to sign an extension with the Blackhawks starting on July 1st, 2025. The team has expressed interest in keeping Baddard long-term, but the 19-year-old has yet to sign a new deal. In a recent interview, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson confirmed that talks between the team and Baddard’s camp have already begun. “We are talking, so I think that’s an indicator of an openness to discuss,” Davidson said. But while the team seems eager to extend Badard, the future remains uncertain. In the interview, Davidson also made it clear that no contract extension has been finalized and the timeline for an agreement is still unclear. The Blackhawks direction and performance are also key factors in determining Baddard’s future with the team. In the same interview, Davidson acknowledged that Baddard’s decision to stay in Chicago would depend on the team’s ability to build a competitive roster around him. While he has maintained a positive attitude, it’s clear that Baddard wants to see the Blackhawks improve. In the same interview, he was asked about the team’s future and said, “We’re excited for that.” Referring to the hope that the team will turn things around. The frustration is understandable. Bedard is a generational talent and he deserves to play on a team that can contend for a championship. Despite the Blackhawks recent struggles, the team has made moves to improve its roster. During the off seasonason, the Blackhawks added key players, including forward Andre Burakovski from the Seattle Kraken and Sam Laferdy from the Buffalo Sabres. Additionally, the team signed top prospect Anton Fondell to a three-year entry-level contract. These moves signal that the Blackhawks are serious about surrounding Baddard with more talent in the coming seasons. Baddard’s dedication to the Blackhawks is clear. He has maintained a strong bond with the city and its fans, and he understands that rebuilding takes time, but the pressure is mounting and Bard’s future may ultimately depend on whether the team can surround him with the pieces needed to win. As the 2025 to 26 season draws closer, the Chicago Blackhawks face some difficult decisions regarding their future and the future of their star player, Connor Baddard. If the team’s performance does not improve and they remain at the bottom of the standings, Baddard may be forced to reconsider his options. A team with a generational talent like Baddard should be competitive. And if the Blackhawks cannot provide that, Baddard’s loyalty to the franchise may be tested. However, if the Blackhawks can continue to build around Baddard and improve their roster, he may very well stay and become the centerpiece of a future championship team. It’s clear that Baddard has the potential to lead the Blackhawks back to prominence, but the team must be committed to putting the right pieces in place. Regardless of what happens with his future in Chicago, Connor Baddard has already had a massive impact on the NHL. His extraordinary talent and work ethic have made him one of the most exciting players to watch in recent years. Baddard’s debut season was historic, and he has continued to build on that success. His presence in the NHL has brought a renewed sense of excitement to the league and the potential for him to lead a team to a championship in the future is a compelling storyline for hockey fans everywhere. With the 2025 to 26 season fast approaching, the future of Connor Baddard and the Chicago Blackhawks remains uncertain. Baddard’s announcement has left fans and analysts questioning what comes next for the young star. The team’s performance in the coming seasons will play a significant role in Baddard’s decision, and only time will tell whether the Blackhawks can build a team around him that is capable of competing for a Stanley Cup. One thing is clear, Connor Baddard is a generational talent, and wherever he goes, he will make an impact. The next chapter in his career promises to be one of the most exciting in NHL history. I’d like to officially request a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs because this just happened. After weeks of silence, Conor McDavid finally spoke. His words were clear. The rumors didn’t stop. Toronto’s name came up again and again. McDavid didn’t say no. He didn’t say yes. He just said what people didn’t expect. Now fans, teams, and reporters are talking louder than ever. This all happened just days after the Oilers lost in the Stanley Cup final. Conor McDavid is the captain of the Edmonton Oilers. He’s also one of the best hockey players in the world. Right now, he’s in the news because of something he said and something he didn’t say. It started after the Oilers lost in the 2025 Stanley Cup final. They played hard but lost in six games to the Florida Panthers. They didn’t win on their home ice and once again, Canada did not get a Stanley Cup winner. That makes 32 years in a row. A few days after the loss, McDavid talked to the media. Reporters asked about his future. His contract ends in 2026. He’s allowed to sign a new one now, but when asked, he said this. It’s only been a couple of days since the season ended. I’m going to take some time to regroup. I’m going to talk to my agent a little bit and family, but there’s no rush on anything like that. There’s no rush. That surprised people. Why? because McDavid can sign a big new deal right now. Other players do that. They don’t wait. But McDavid isn’t signing yet. And he didn’t say he would stay in Edmonton. Fans in Toronto noticed. So did NHL teams. So did the media. Some people now think he might leave Edmonton in 2026 and sign with the Maple Leafs. The talk got so loud that NHL insiders had to explain what was going on. Chris Johnston, a reporter, said there have been no talks yet between McDavid and the Oilers about a new contract. None. That’s a fact. Teams don’t wait with stars like McDavid. But Edmonton is waiting and Toronto is listening. Other reporters said the Maple Leafs are one of the few teams that could pay McDavid. His next contract might be worth $85 million. That’s about $17 million a year. Toronto has the money. They made moves to free up space. They even traded Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights. That trade saved money and that money could go toward McDavid. Austin Matthews is already in Toronto. If McDavid joined him, it would be one of the biggest duos in hockey history. But it’s not just about money, it’s about timing. McDavid turns 29 in January 2026. He also won the KSM Trophy this year, even though his team lost. That means he was the best player in the playoffs. Only a few players have ever done that while losing the finals. So what does that mean? It means McDavid is playing as well as ever. And he still doesn’t have a Stanley Cup. Now people are asking, will he leave Edmonton to try to win somewhere else? Some say yes, others say no. Gene Principy is a longtime Oilers announcer. He said McDavid loves Edmonton. He said McDavid is probably staying, but even he said that could change. Another reporter, Bruce Arthur, said McDavid has many reasons to stay. Edmonton is a strong team. They have young stars like Evan Boucher. They made the finals. They might do it again. But still, McDavid hasn’t signed. He said, “Winning is what matters most. If I feel there’s a good window to win here over and over again, then signing is no problem.” That’s what he said. If McDavid doesn’t sign a deal before 2026, he will become a free agent on July 1st of that year. He can go anywhere. Toronto has space. Toronto has Matthews. Toronto has roots. The Oilers, meanwhile, have said nothing. They haven’t started talks with McDavid. Not yet. No official meetings, no updates. And McDavid’s agent hasn’t made a statement either. That silence means something. That’s why people are saying McDavid broke his silence and shocked everyone because he didn’t say yes and he didn’t say no. He just opened the door and let the buzz begin. As he said, yeah, it’s only been a couple days um since the the season ended. Um, you know, take some time to uh to regroup, you know, talk to uh my agent a little bit and and family and all that and and make some decisions when whenever that time comes. But there’s no rush. Conor McDavid told reporters he wasn’t in a rush to talk contracts. Now weeks later, there’s been nothing. With the team in offseason limbo and big name signing elsewhere, McDavid’s silence now speaks louder than ever. The Oilers are waiting. The fans are waiting, but the captain still isn’t saying anything. McDavid’s silence is now a problem. And this silence could change everything for the Edmonton Oilers. Conor McDavid is the captain of the Edmonton Oilers. He is one of the best hockey players in the world. McDavid has played his whole NHL career in Edmonton since the team picked him first in the 2015 NHL draft. His current contract is an 8-year deal worth $100 million. That deal ends in July 2026. Right now, McDavid still has one year left on that contract. He will be allowed to sign a new deal starting on July 1st, 2025. If he does not sign, he becomes a free agent in 2026. That means any team in the league could offer him a deal. But so far, McDavid has not said if he will stay or leave. After the Oilers lost in the 2025 Stanley Cup final to the Florida Panthers, reporters asked McDavid about his future. He answered, “It’s only been a couple days since the season ended. I’m going to take some time to regroup, but there’s no rush on anything like that. He also said, “If I feel there’s a good window to win here over and over again, then signing is no problem.” That was the last time he spoke about it. McDavid’s numbers this season were very strong. He had 74 assists in the regular season. He scored 33 points in 22 playoff games. He had seven goals and 26 assists. His teammate Leandre Cidle had the same playoff point total, but McDavid still hasn’t said what he will do about his contract. The fans don’t know, the team doesn’t know. Other NHL teams are now watching closely. Stan Bowman is the general manager of the Oilers. He said he’s the best player in the league, most important player in the league. He’s our captain. He’s our leader. Bowman said the team’s number one priority is to keep McDavid. He also said the contract talks will happen when McDavid is ready, but NHL free agency is already moving fast. Teams are signing players. The Oilers have to make choices about who to keep, who to sign, and how to build next season’s team. But without knowing what McDavid wants, the team can’t plan fully. That has caused a problem. If McDavid leaves, it could be a very big problem. The Oilers have made the playoffs six years in a row. They made the Stanley Cup final two years in a row, but they lost both times. Some sports writers are saying McDavid might not want to wait much longer. If he doesn’t think the team can win soon, he could decide to go somewhere else. Leon Dedel, McDavid’s teammate and top scorer, signed a new deal last year. That deal is for eight years and $112 million. If McDavid stays, he will likely make even more. Some reports say McDavid could become the highest paid player in the league, but that would mean the team has less money to spend on other players. If McDavid stays quieter, the Oilers could be forced to trade him. They won’t want to lose him in free agency for nothing. That’s why some experts are saying the team needs to know soon. One article said McDavid’s silence is wrecking the Oilers free agency plans. Jeff Jackson is the CEO of the Oilers. He also used to be McDavid’s agent. He said the next season will help decide everything. The team will wait, but not forever. Other teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers are already being mentioned as possible new homes for McDavid. Right now, every NHL team is watching. If McDavid doesn’t say anything by the start of the season, the rumors will grow. Teams will begin making offers. Fans will keep asking questions. Even McDavid’s teammates might start to worry. The Oilers had a record of 48 wins, 29 losses, and five overtime losses this past season. That was good enough to make the playoffs. They went all the way to the finals, but lost to the Panthers in six games. McDavid led the team in assists and was one of the top playoff performers in the entire league. But now all of that is in the past. The team needs to know what comes next. Free agents are being signed by other teams. The Oilers can’t wait forever. And yet, McDavid says nothing. The pressure is building. You know, I know people are going to look at that July one day and and and be looking to see if there’s anything done. Um, but for me, there’s no I’m not I’m just not in a rush that way. Something big is coming to hockey, and it’s not just about one team. On July 1st, Conor McDavid will make a move no one saw coming. That move could change how the best players in the league get paid.
Lane Hutson has quickly become one of the NHL’s brightest young defensemen, and the Montreal Canadiens aren’t wasting any time. With his rookie season shattering records and turning heads across the league, insiders say a long-term extension could be on the horizon — one that rivals the biggest contracts for young blueliners in recent years.
From his historic assist totals to his impact on special teams, Hutson has proven he’s a cornerstone for Montreal’s future. In this video, we break down the latest contract rumors, what it means for the Canadiens’ salary cap, and how his deal could shape the team’s path to contention.
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