Cale Makar made NHL history by being the first NHL player to sign a contract with an AAV over $20 million. It is a steep price to pay, and for Montreal Canadiens fans, it is logical to draw a connection between Makar and what the Canadiens are getting from Lane Hutson, who is set to play the next eight seasons on a contract that is less than half what Makar is making at $8.85 million AAV.
While it is true that the two contracts are going to run roughly the same time, the two players are at very different points in their careers. It is also something the Canadiens have to plan for if Hutson continues to play at the level he has.
There is no question that it was a massive contract, but it is also one that is warranted for what Makar has been able to do. He has already played seven seasons in the league, won the Calder Trophy, the Norris Trophy twice, the Conn Smythe Trophy, and one Stanley Cup.
The resume speaks for itself, and being only 27 years old, he will be playing most of this contract in the prime of his career. When considering all these factors, on top of the fact that he was going to be an unrestricted free agent after this season, he had a lot of leverage in negotiations to get the contract he did.
For Lane Hutson, there are already a lot of similarities between the start of the two careers. Hutson already won the Calder Trophy and surpassed 65 points in his first two full seasons, which took Makar four seasons to break that mark, but the first two were shortened seasons.
While it clearly looks like a stroke of good fortune now, as the Canadiens signed Hutson to his eight-year deal, it wasn't clear that he was going to continue to get better. That was certainly the hope, but Montreal had only one season to make a decision on, and it was a risk.
It was a contract that both sides walked away with something, as Hutson got long-term security and the Canadiens got a little cap flexibility (as long as Hutson continued to improve). Hutson also didn't have the negotiating leverage that Makar had, as he was only going to be a restricted free agent at the end of his contract.
Montreal Canadiens should already be preparing to offer Lane Hutson a $20+ million AAV contract
The challenge is that Hutson will be 30 at the end of his contract and heading into unrestricted free agency. However, the two sides can start talking about another deal when he is 29 years old, which is roughly only one year older than Makar is now.
If Hutson continues on the path he is going, and if the NHL continues to increase the salary cap the way many expect, it wouldn't be surprising if the Canadiens' defenseman's next contract is closer to $25 million AAV.
The Montreal Canadiens can't squander this opportunity they have with the cap flexibility they have been able to put in place by being proactive in signing their younger players. However, the Makar contract is a look into the future and one they have to keep in mind with any new players they add in the coming years.
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