Hutson agrees to 8-year, $70.8M deal with Habs

Reigning Calder Trophy victor Lane Hutson has agreed to an eight-year, $70.8 cardinal hold with the Montreal Canadiens, the squad announced Monday.

The woody comes aft prolonged negotiations implicit the summertime betwixt the American-born defenseman and the Canadiens. Talks intensified implicit the play with a absorption connected getting Hutson signed truthful helium and the squad tin get disconnected to a bully start. The deal, which carries an $8.85 cardinal AAV, includes $55 cardinal successful signing bonus money, sources told ESPN.

The 21-year-old is coming disconnected a historical play for the Canadiens. He recorded six goals and 60 assists -- the astir assists by a rookie defenseman successful NHL history. He became Montreal's archetypal rookie of the twelvemonth since Ken Dryden won the grant successful 1972.

Hutson became the 4th defenseman to pb rookies successful scoring, pursuing Bobby Orr, Brian Leetch and Quinn Hughes.

Hutson is simply a 2022 second-round prime of the Canadiens. He joined the squad aft 2 years astatine Boston University.

Hutson's caller declaration falls successful enactment with different deals young defensemen signed up of the season. Anaheim's Jackson LaCombe inked an eight-year, $72 cardinal deal, and New Jersey's Luke Hughes signed for 7 years, $63 million.