Lane Hutson not pushing for an eight-year contract, believes Darren Dreger

Dose
Crédit: MONTREAL, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 23: Lane Hutson #48 of the Montreal Canadiens skates during the second period in a preseason game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell Centre on September 23, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

Will Lane Hutson sign a contract before the start of the season? It’s probably unlikely, at this point. Obviously, the Canadiens and the player want to come to an agreement. But right now, it’s hard to believe that the gap between the two sides can be bridged between now and the Toronto game, so Hutson will have to play with that in mind. No matter how much we say he shouldn’t mind, he’s only human. And having $72 million on your mind at that age changes your life.So, what’s the latest on this player with little negotiating power?

According to what Darren Dreger told Early Trading(TSN) and Montreal radio(TSN 690) yesterday, the player is aiming for more of a six-year contract – not eight like the club.

[content-ads]Why six years? It’s easy to make connections with the fact that GM Kent Hughes said his player was seven years away from full autonomy – so far from leaving Montreal.Seven years plus the year already played, that’s quite a few years of control, it seems to me. Normally, we’re talking about seven full years before autonomy – and Hutson already has one behind the tie.But hey. If the GM is right, one last year of entry-level contract plus a contract to buy his last six years of control, that’s… seven. #Maths436

More and more, players seem to be taking inspiration from other sports. Example? Reaching full autonomy more quickly like in baseball, signing smaller contracts once they reach autonomy (to return to the market and take advantage of rising prices) like in basketball… [content-ads]These are techniques we didn’t see as often in the NHL, but which seem to be becoming fashionable. #LogiqueDreger also reports that the Habs GM and Hutson’s agent (who is represented by Quartexx) may meet in Detroit tomorrow, on the heels of the Habs game in Michigan. Will it happen? And if so, will everyone be able to put emotions aside and negotiate as effectively as possible? Will a new offer be submitted? In

[spacer title=’Overtime’]- Seen the same.

– What do you think?

– Well done.