BROSSARD - The Montreal Canadiens have rewarded star defenceman Lane Hutson, last season’s NHL rookie of the year, with a new US$70.8 million, eight-year contract.

The deal, which runs from 2026-27 to 2033-34, will pay the 21-year-old Hutson an average annual salary of US$8.85 million. The Michigan-born blueliner is earning US$950,000 this season.

Hutson scored six goals and added 60 assists in 82 games with the Habs as a rookie last season. He led Montreal in assists and topped all NHL rookies in points, assists, power-play points (26) and average ice time (22:44).

Hutson’s 66 points set a points record by a Canadiens rookie defenceman, while his 60 assists tied the league mark for assists by a rookie blueliner, set by Larry Murphy in 1980-81.

Hutson became the seventh player in Canad

See Full Page