Luszczyszyn’s analytical model actually estimates that Hutson’s market value at an incredible $22.5 million a season throughout the length of his contract. While the market value is incredibly high, especially since the league’s highest-paid player, Leo Carlsson, is making $18 million a year, it should be noted that Luszczyszyn’s model calculates what the market value is expected to be in the future. Therefore, because Hutson has transformed into a superstar defenseman, he is expected to be paid like one as the cap rises and the years go on.
Luszczyszyn estimates that superstars should easily get $25 million once the salary cap exceeds $150 million, which should be happening in the near future. As a result, by estimating Hutson’s cap hit relative to the value that a player like him could have over the next eight years, an average of $22.5 million a season makes sense.
Another contract that will surely be mentioned as time goes on is forward Ivan Demidov, who like Hutson signed his long-term contract following an amazing rookie campaign. He isn’t on the article that Luszczyszyn wrote because it’s too early to know for sure how it’ll progress before the end of his entry-level contract, but that deal is another one that is expected to be among the highest-value contracts in the league over the next few years as Demidov potentially progresses into a true superstar.
Montreal Canadiens sniper Cole Caufield, who has another five years at $7.85 million a year, was among the honourable mentions according to the surplus model. After coming off a season where he scored 51 goals, it really isn’t a surprise that he’s now worth a lot more than just $7.85 million a season. Nick Suzuki wasn’t mentioned at all, but his $7.875 million cap hit is incredible for a player that just scored 101 points in a season. Yes, Suzuki may only have four years left on his contract compared to the eight of Hutson and five years for Caufield, but his numbers and impact on the game can’t be ignored. He was an offensive dynamo while also putting up solid defensive numbers to earn the 2025-26 Selke Trophy. It can be argued that despite Caufield’s amazing contract being a year longer than his captain, Suzuki’s is the one with more value due to his two-way impact and the leadership that he brings. Unfortunately, Luszczyszyn’s model doesn’t count the intangibles, but it does feel that Suzuki’s contract doesn’t get the proper respect that he deserves. The Athletic writer once had Suzuki’s contract as one of the worst in the league, which seemed odd even at the time.
At the end of the day, the Montreal Canadiens have one of, if not the best, cap situations when it comes to their star players for the near future. In reality, all the contracts mentioned above, as well as Juraj Slafkovsky‘s deal, are all contracts that the Canadiens have signed that someone can argue is one of the best contracts in the NHL.
Do you agree with Luszczyszyn’s model that Hutson’s contract is the best in the NHL, or do you believe that another contract is better currently?