After a whirlwind summer packed with headline-grabbing moves by Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes, one burning question continues to puzzle fans and insiders alike: why has Lane Hutson, the breakout rookie sensation and recent Calder Trophy winner, not signed a new contract?

Despite Hughes’ impressive string of acquisitions—including the arrivals of Noah Dobson and Zachary Bolduc—the silence surrounding Hutson’s contract status has only grown louder, fueling speculation and concern across the hockey world.

As rumors swirl and theories multiply, the real reason behind this unexpected contract delay remains shrouded in mystery. Recent insights from prominent voices in the hockey community have only added to the intrigue, hinting at hidden motives, strategic negotiations, and even the potential impact of the league’s new collective bargaining agreement.

Could the Canadiens be playing a high-stakes waiting game, or is there something more complex happening behind the scenes? With so much at stake for both the team and the young star defenseman, the answer to this question could reshape the Canadiens’ future for years to come.

Dive deeper into the story to uncover the surprising twists and revelations that might finally explain why Lane Hutson’s signature is still missing.

Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes (left) Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (right)

Photo credit: All Habs

Since the end of the Montreal Canadiens’ season, Kent Hughes has had quite a busy summer with several excellent acquisitions, including Noah Dobson and Zachary Bolduc.

But one question remains: why hasn’t Lane Hutson signed a new contract yet?

We know that Lane Hutson surprised many fans last season with an outstanding year. He won the Calder Trophy and proved that he is a cornerstone on the Canadiens’ blue line.

We know that Hutson has been eligible to sign a new contract since July 1st, but there has been no update on this matter from the Canadiens.

However, we learned some very interesting information on the subject during The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro.

The Real Reason Behind the Lack of a Contract With the Canadiens Revealed

During his excellent podcast, Tony Marinaro brought up several great points about what he would do if he were in Kent Hughes’ shoes.

“Maybe the Canadiens are thinking that he just won the Calder, he just tied the rookie defenseman assist record in the NHL, and he probably won’t have as many points or as strong a season next year.”
– Tony Marinaro

For his part, Pierre McGuire mentioned that the new collective bargaining agreement will have an effect on the contract.

The Canadiens would like to agree on an 8-year deal, which would benefit both sides.

With Noah Dobson’s contract now on the books, we can ask what annual amount Hughes will be willing to offer for Hutson’s services.

In the end, we’ll continue to follow this story closely, and it may not be resolved until the end of next season.