BROSSARD, Que.— Lane Hutson disarmed a nuclear negotiation to sign an eight-year, $70.8-million contract with the Montreal Canadiens Monday.

The 21-year-old was offered $72 million over the same term but opted to take a bit less because he cares more about the opportunity to win than he does his cap hit.

Still, starting in 2026, Hutson’s bank statement is going to massively appreciate. He’ll earn $11 million as soon as his entry-level contract expires at the end of June and his new deal begins in July, and that’ll kickstart years of signing-bonus payments that, coupled with a retirement compensation agreement, will ultimately net him more money than an eight-year deal paying him $9 million per season would’ve.

But that’s the fine print here.

The big story is Huston and the Canadiens bo

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