WHY The Montreal Canadiens Have Eyes On The New Jersey Devils!

WHY The Montreal Canadiens Have Eyes On The New Jersey Devils!

Marco Demo and Sean Star with you. Thanks you so much for subscribing to our channel. The journey to 20,000 begins with one sub at a time and you guys are definitely a strong part of that journey and thank you so much for being a part of it. I know I can speak for Marco on that. And of course you can support us by supporting our sponsors at Little Bear. Little Bearonline.com. Uh proudly family-owned and operated a small business in Montreal on St. Katherine in Westbound across from Alexis Neon Plaza. curbside pickup and delivery in your area and specials that change all the time. I encourage you to go check out their website at littlebearonline.com. They care about your family’s pet as much as you do. Marco, good to see you again. And uh listen, I I just want to bring up another topic because here we are closer to the start of the Montreal Canadians regular season with the reigning rookie of the year in the National Hockey League. Uh still Son’s contract extension, long-term security. your eyes was able to get his kind of max deal. He’s into the first year of that. And you and I have talked about this before, but our friend and colleague Nicola Klutier brought this up in the journal de morale. And I want you to expand and and break it down for us here that who’s going to be the market setter as it relates to who gets paid, who can we look at Luke Hughes and the New Jersey Devils and the correlation between Montreal Canadians own number 48 Lane Hudson. So let’s start with the market setter. Is there a chance Ken Hughes and management in Montreal is looking at this Devil’s doseier, waiting for that to be settled, and then they’ll tackle Lane Hudson? Yeah, I don’t want to make it seem like one side is waiting on the other. I think both sides are waiting to see what happens with Luke Hughes. Um, just so fans kind of understand this, there’s a paradigm shift going on in the NHL right now. Okay. So basically, yeah, basically, uh, we saw years prior guys getting to the moment they were eligible for, you know, an extension even prior to the conclusion of their contract, they’d be signing eight years out of their ELC, like almost like clockwork, right? And that was the case when the cap was flat or flatish, going up by one million dollars a year those last couple years. Um, but this is no longer the case. The cap is going up by 9% a year. your idea of what is fair from a salary perspective is no longer relevant because all of that is set to go up, but no, no one wants to make the first move. And I’m not talking about signing a guy with less than 60 games of experience like like a Frank Nazar for example, who I think is going to be excellent, but had absolutely no leverage whatsoever in his situation and took that security. We’re talking about the cream of the crop signing long-term deals. And we haven’t seen that yet for guys coming out of their entrylevel contracts. We’ve seen guys, for example, um you know, you look at Keandre Miller in um in Carolina signing a long-term deal. He had arbitration rights. You look at Noah Dobson signing a long-term deal, RFA with arbitration rights. But the grand majority, six of the of the of yeah, six of the eight years that there in Dobson’s case, actually, seven of the eight years that he signed for are unrestricted free agent years. For example, if Lane Hudson were to sign right now, like right now for next season, it would it would be an eight-year deal. For example, five of those eight years, right, are going to be RFA years. Those are worth less on average. And so, you just got to factor that in. So, all this business talk, winded stuff, get to the granular stuff. Like, what’s the point? What do get to the point, right? This is the point that needs to be made. No agent wants to make a move right now. They don’t want to be the trends setter. They don’t want to be the team that messes up the market. And we’ve seen this before, right? you know, general managers across the league all face palmed themselves and I think a couple have spent too when Carrie Price signed that $10.5 million contract because that changed the game for goalenders being paid because I think at the time Henrik Lungquist was the highest paid and Price beat him by like you know two two million. So at at you know earning 25% more that’s a big jump. So if you’re a guy like Lane Hudson, you see this jump in salary year after year after year. So you’re going from 95 million this year to a minimum of 103 million next year, 104 million next year. And then the projection after that is 113 to 114 million. So it’s going up by 9% year-over-year for three years at minimum. And then we’re going to get into the later stages, two to three years from now. expansion may be on the table and that will continue to rise. So what does that mean? It means throughout the life of this contract, an 8-year deal that is signed today, for example, effective next year, the salary cap may almost double. And so if you’re asking for if you’re like a Lane Hudson asking for about 9% of the salary cap, totally that 9% today could be worth 5% in the last two years of the deal. And that is where you agents are a little iffy and afraid to go longterm unless somebody else does and sets that market. That’s why all eyes are on Luke Hughes and Mason McTavish. I like the 9% number because it slots in nicely. Brock Faber 8.9, Jake Sanderson, the Ottawa Senators 9.15. And so if we work off the math of $104 million in terms of the salary cap when hypothetically Lane Hudson’s contract would kick in in the 2026 2027 season, you know, that puts Lane Hudson in the low 9s to mid9s in terms of a of a salary range for Lane Hudson, which I’ll put my hand up right now and I’ll spit my opinion out. I would have no problem if the Montreal Canadians locked Lane Hudson into like a 9.275 275 a $9.3 million per year salary. What I’m interested in, and look, I don’t have um any internal insight in the dynamic of the Montreal Canadians dressing room, but Noah Dobson makes a lot of money and I don’t know how much the Canadians think about, you know, how much Dobson makes, how much Suzuki makes, the team infrastructure. I don’t get the impression, not even for a second, that Lane Hudson is is all about the almighty dollar and is going to pull a Luke Hughes and not show up to training camps kind of situation. Like, um, you know, he’s out there publicly saying, “Let Sean Coffee, let my agent handle this. I’m here to play hockey.” Like, I buy that attitude. But what do you think, you know, your educated guess on hypothetically that Hudson lands in that low nines to mid nines salary range per year? I think the best way that I could put this is when you look at what would be fair for Lane Hudson, you have guys, you know, some of our colleagues across English and French media calling for double digit 10, 12, 11. I saw the other day 12, you know that, and I mean million per year over an eight-year deal. I don’t think that’s going to happen. Okay. I could confirm that the Canadians have given one offer to Lane Hudson and it was nowhere near that amount. So, we’re not even going there. Now, do I do I believe that the Canadians would pounce to sign an 8 time 8.5 million deal with Lane Hudson? Yes. Yes, I think that they’d love to sign something like that, but the reality is that someone in Lane Hudson’s situation if they were only about the money would be pushing 10 if now we know that Lane Hudson cares more about staying in Montreal than Breaking Bank. So now the negotiation ensues and that negotiation will be in large part narrated and directed by what other teams are going to do to set the market. the Canadians. If you’re in if you’re in Ken Hughes’s spot, there is absolutely zero rush to give in to any salary requests in this situation because you’re not setting the market. You’re waiting for other people to set the market. And so Tom Fitzgerald in New Jersey, Patique right now in in Anaheim, they’re setting it. They’re setting that market. They’re the ones with the pressure right now while the rest of the league watches. And it’s not, you know, um I think Elliot Friedman touched on this. It’s not like a collusion amongst the league. Same thing’s happening with unrestricted free agents to be. Look at Kel Capri off. He is waiting to see what McDavid signs for for two reasons. A because his owner said he was ready to make him the highest paid player in the league and it’s always best for the best player in the league to sign his contract before that happens because then you could use his words against them in a negotiation. But also when you look at the idea of measuring yourself up to other teams and other you know other players it’s always a little different. So you look at a, you know, like for example, uh, Jack Eel is probably going to set that market for the elite second tier, right? Like, like we have like five or six guys really at like the top of the elite and then you really have that second tier and I think that’s Jack Eel is at the top of that list. Mhm. Well, he’s probably going to sign in the 13 to 14 million in Vegas, which means it’s probably closer to in terms of like direct worth pro probably closer to, you know, 15 16 million uh if you were to go into a heavier tax province or state. So, that’s going to set the market. That’s going to start conversation. That’s going to give someone like Conor McDavid a benchmark, right? And so, everyone’s kind of waiting for that benchmark. The forward groups, I could tell you this from sources, are not happy with Patique right now because Patique is trying to strongarm McTavish and that could potentially ruin the upward market for forwards. I’m talking about guys being represented, guys that are representing, you know, players like Logan Culie. Uh, you know, you look at CA right now with a guy like Adam Fantily, uh, who is not talking contract because he doesn’t want to get into this. he wants to play his full season and you know hopefully if his trajectory continues to go he might be closer to a point per game sure you can go and get that 10 mil over an eight-year deal. That’s what’s happening right now. So for all the fans that are kind of because I and again like I know I’m going to get in the comments, no one’s asking about this. I get dozens of DMs asking me why Lane Hudson is not signed on a regular basis, ladies and gentlemen, constantly. Heck, my mother will text me to be like, “Why is Ela Hudson not signed?” So, like, I’m I’m I’m just saying it is a valid question because times are different and that’s fair, but from what I’m being told, Luke Hughes is set to sign a longer term deal. We’re talking between six to six to eight years. Mhm. And I know the Montreal Canadians have one thing in their mind beyond because they they absolutely want an eight-year deal. Lane Hudson, if he had it his way, would very much like an 8-year deal just about finding the middle. But they absolutely want this done before they even get close to the snow melting because you absolutely cannot go into next summer with an unsigned Lane Hudson and an extendable because his contract will allow him to extend his contract next summer and extendable Ivan Deidov. You cannot go to July 1st next year. You can’t. So the Canadians have some time, some leverage to push back and say, “Ah, we’re not going to go above a certain number.” And, you know, that number is, you know, not necessarily what the Hudson camp is looking for. But I’ll tell you this, they’re in conversation every day. They’re they’re exchanging information, waiting to see how the market fluctuates. Like if, and I say this, you know, with Yeah. Yeah. From based on my understanding, if Luke Hughes signs in the next three or four days like we expect him to, yeah, then I believe the conversations for a Lane Hudson extension pick up and the temperature rises a little bit because now you have a benchmark to be like, well look at what that guy got, for example. And I will give you this direct example. One of the sticklers in in Tom Fitzgerald’s negotiation right now with Luke Hughes from what I’m being reported or from what I’m being told and now reporting is it’s going to be long term. They tried to go with the five-year threat so that he and Jack Hughes could finish their contracts at the same time and leave. That was obviously meant to, you know, try and get a little bit more on the negotiation scale on the tail end because if you want eight years of Jack of Luke Hughes, well, unless, you know, if they manage to find some way to get Quinn Hughes in between that time, he’s probably going to be their number one defenseman, right? So, you got to pay that man. And so, the the problem has always been, oh, it’s a long-term deal. You would rather not pay him more than his brother. But the reality is if Brock Faber and Jake Sanderson are making eight mil$ eight million dollars or more over eight years in a flat cap situation, Luke Hughes probably deserves an eight in his, you know, in his salary or to start his salary on an eight-year deal as well. So that’s kind of the stickler. Let me jump in here for a second because I’m confused. Okay? Like I if we’re talking on one side of her mouth that we believe that Lane Hudson isn’t held hostage by the almighty dollar wants to stay in Montreal eight years max whatever you know in terms of the contract. Yeah would love for it to be as long as possible. Fine. Fine. Then my confusion is well why isn’t it done yet? Okay let’s say they’re waiting for Lou Hughes and that to be settled. So let’s admit Luke Hughes will be the market setter as it relates to Lane Hudson’s future contract. Right. But yeah, like in my head where the confusion really rains down on me is Lane Hudson is coming off a historic season with his 60 assists and 66 points. Like the what if he runs it back? What if a 66 point season goes into a 70 point season? Like I can envision a world where it it’s going to cost the Canadians another 2 million or 16 million over the life of of an eight-year deal. So like if he’s not held by the dollar, why isn’t a deal done? I don’t think he’s held by the dollar, but I think it’s being fair. I think, you know, without divulging too much, I think everyone kind of knows how shrewd of a negotiator Kent Hughes is. For sure. Okay. So, you’ve like like the best way I can put this is as such. Kent Hughes signed Kaden Ghoulie to a six-year five million contract. Yeah. What a sweetheart deal. That’s my new Max Patcher ready deal. I keep saying that’s my new Patradetti deal. It’s a great deal. That’s it. Right. Most of the contracts that Kent Hughes has signed since becoming a general manager are considered steals today. The only one he didn’t sign was Nick Suzuki’s which yes, credit to Mark Bers on that one. Steal of a deal right now. Steal a trade. Steal of a deal. Uh best legacy could have left that team. Maybe Burj’s best trade. Maybe his best trade. I would I would wager that getting the team’s first actual number one center in 30 years is a good trade. Yes. Um, no offense to to obviously I love Tell it like it is, brother. Tell it like it is. I mean I mean like bonafide point per game like it’s just a different level. And so I I and and it’s not even on those players like Thomas, David Darin. It’s not it’s I just include him there because they put him on the first line. It’s no disrespect to them. They deserve the minutes they got because there was no one better and they excelled in those positions. But here you have a bonafideed number one center. So back to the topic at hand when you are understanding the way that negotiations happen early, right? The Canadians they they don’t want to make a mistake here and not saying that Lane Hudson’s not worth the money, but you got to position yourself long term, right? And you want all these contracts to be kind of under control and under a certain understanding. Yes, obviously Lane Hudson deserves more of the pie than Nick Suzuki did at the time because I mean, let’s let’s call his fate his fate. He had he’s had a better rookie season and he had a better he’s he’s got more under his belt than Nick Suzuki did at the time of his drafting. Sorry, at the time of the signing. So, there’s a difference in that regard. What I will say is this. I don’t from what I understand the separation in terms of dollars is not strong enough for anybody to worry. They’re not a million dollars apart on an eight-year deal in my honest opinion when you look at So if it’s less than that and it’s he’s an RFA, you know, I really wouldn’t worry. But Ken Hughes and Jeff Gordon are such shrewd, you know, nonsensical negotiators that you have to understand that this is a negotiation and they are trying to, you know, temper expectations. And that isn’t to say that Lane Hudson came in with a big ask. I sincerely doubt that. In fact, people in the know think that whatever Lane Hudson signs for, you know, unanimously the NHL is going to be like steal. So, I’m not worried about that. I’m not worried about any of this at all. It’s something that we bring up simply just to keep updates on. But what I will say is the second that leak that Luke Hugh signs the wheels on the bus will start to turn. And I think in season right now in season like like you said earlier like what if hypothetically you know before the season you know is this video out on this video’s out on Friday and what if Luke Hughes get you know Luke Hughes gets a contract in the first seven days of October right before the devil season get gets going. I think it’ll happen before then. Okay. So I mean so it’s the you know September 25th. This video is out on September 26th. So like give or take a day. I’m just asking if Lane Hudson’s contract after Lane after Luke Hughes gets his, they’re going to do this in season. Let’s just say both parties would prefer if it were done prior to okay and are just waiting to see what will happen. Perfect. Where I And again, this is what everybody wants. This mean it’s got to happen. Yeah. I’m saying there is if if L Q signs in the next three to four days, there is enough time and they’ve done enough talking where they can get a little closer on on AEV if the term is eight. Now, if Luke Q signs for six years, oh, who who oh boy, then that that may change the conversation. Maybe they push for six years uh and re-evaluate uh maybe the AEV is a little lower in consequence uh from from you know potentially in the nines. Um you know it’s all about that conversation but this is also when the player comes into the equation and the players wants and the players needs. And we saw it last year with Jake Evans. Jake Evans’s representation was asking for four million over four years. He ended up signing for for I believe just under three, right? 2.9 2.8. Yeah. 2.8. There you go. So 2.8 8 over four years. So that’s a significant drop because the player stepped in and said I don’t care. Why? So I’m not saying this was black, bro. I know. I remember. But I’m not saying that this is going to happen. I’m not saying that the that Lane Hudson is asking for too much in in my estimation. Uh but I think there’s a shrewd negotiation happening. And as a fan of the team, I speak to you on this. let Kent Hughes do his job and, you know, let Lane Hudson’s representation do theirs, but I can tell you that there’s enough good faith between both parties that absolutely no one has to worry about it. I think I think, you know, I could I could speak for the Habs fan base. Um, and my own opinion is Ken Hughes and Jeff Gordon have more than done enough to allow me to trust the process. That cliche trust the process line. um they’ve done their work. Uh their credibility to me is is um right there. And I can’t wait for you and I to re to do a reaction video to a Lane Hudson contract. Talk about the term, talk about the dollars, and uh talk about this team uh finding another level as the season uh gets going. Marco Demo with RG Media, rg.org. You can follow him at MN Demo. And you can support us by supporting our sponsors at Littlebear. And don’t forget, Marco Demo, part of TSN690’s Havs Breakfast every Wednesday at 8:05. And don’t forget, like and subscribe to our video. Our journey to 20,000 subs begins with you. Thanks again, Marco, and looking forward to more reaction video as the Canadians near their regular season opener. Have a good one, everybody.

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The Montreal Canadiens are watching the New Jersey Devils very closely… because Luke Hughes’ next contract could directly shape Lane Hutson’s future in Montreal. With the NHL salary cap set to rise over the next few years, Hughes’ deal becomes a critical benchmark for the Canadiens.

In this video, Shaun Starr and Marco D’Amico break down why Hughes’ negotiations are so important for the Habs, what it means for Lane Hutson’s next contract, and how Kent Hughes might navigate this situation. We’ll look at comparables like Jake Sanderson and Brock Faber, discuss possible salary ranges (8.5 to 9.5M), and explore what this all means for Montreal’s cap management moving forward.

Will the Canadiens lock in Hutson long-term? Could Hughes’ deal give Hutson’s camp more leverage? And what are the best and worst-case scenarios for the Habs?

Stay tuned as we dive deep into one of the most important contract storylines that could define the Canadiens’ future.

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