Canadiens Maple Leafs Hockey

Montreal Canadiens' Lane Hutson (48) and Juraj Slafkovsky (20) work for the puck as Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) and Jake McCabe (22) look on during second period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.

 Frank Gunn - The Canadian Press

MONTREAL (AP) — The Montreal Canadiens signed last season's NHL rookie of the year, defenseman Lane Hutson, to an eight-year, $70.8 million contract extension on Monday.

The extension kicks in for the 2026-27 season after Hutson's rookie contract expires and runs through 2033-34. The 21-year-old is from Michigan and was selected in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Boston University.

In his first full NHL season, Hutson set a franchise single-season rookie record with 66 points and tied the franchise mark with a team-leading 60 assists. He led all rookies in points as well as 26 power-play points and by averaging 22 minutes and 44 seconds of ice time over 82 games.

Hutson played a role in helping the young, rebuilding Canadiens qualify for the playoffs last season for the first time in four years.

He became the Canadiens' seventh player to win the Calder Trophy and first since goalie Ken Dryden in 1971-72.

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