Lane Hutson’s eight-year, $8.85 million average annual value contract with the Montreal Canadiens continues to generate conversation around the NHL. As the market has shifted in recent weeks—with Quinn Hughes reportedly approaching a deal in the $17–18 million range and Bowen Byram landing $12.5 million per year—Hutson’s number has begun to look like an increasingly significant bargain for general manager Kent Hughes and the Canadiens.
That disparity has fueled a familiar narrative: that the young defenseman might eventually come to regret locking in at what some view as a discount relative to emerging comparables. The speculation has been persistent enough that it prompted a direct response from Anthony Desaulniers, who offered a measured and grounded perspective that cuts through the noise.
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Desaulniers does not believe Hutson harbors any regrets. “I don’t think he regrets it,” he said. The key context, in his view, lies in Hutson’s demeanor earlier in the season. Before the deal was finalized, the young blueliner appeared uncomfortable. Once the long-term agreement was in place, the change was noticeable. “He was clearly relieved afterward,” Desaulniers noted, suggesting that the security of the contract actually benefited Hutson’s performance on the ice.
Beyond the average annual value, the structure of the deal itself carries practical advantages. Hutson is set to receive more money in the early years of the agreement, providing immediate financial upside that goes beyond the headline AAV figure. For a player still establishing himself at the NHL level, that front-loaded element and the certainty of an eight-year commitment carry real weight.
In a market that continues to escalate for top young defensemen, Hutson’s contract stands out as a win for Montreal’s long-term salary-cap planning. At the same time, Desaulniers’ comments underscore a more personal reality for the player: long-term security can matter more than maximizing every last dollar. For those concerned that Hutson might already be second-guessing his decision, the picture that emerges is one of relief rather than regret. The young defenseman appears to have prioritized stability, and the early returns suggest that choice has served him well.