Overview

• Multiple reports indicate talks are clustered around an eight-year contract at roughly a $9 million AAV, with the sides not far apart according to Elliotte Friedman.
• Hutson will be a 10.2(c) restricted free agent after 2025–26, which removes arbitration and offer-sheet avenues and strengthens Montreal’s negotiating position.
• Recent comparables frame the market, with Luke Hughes and Jackson LaCombe signing eight-year deals at $9 million AAV and Noah Dobson landing at a $9.5 million cap hit.
• Montreal is evaluating structure to offset Quebec taxes before new CBA limits, including larger upfront signing bonuses this year and potential use of a Retirement Compensation Agreement.
• Reporting from David Pagnotta suggests Hutson could accept a modest discount capped at a few hundred thousand dollars per season on a long-term pact, with mutual interest in getting a deal done.