Lane Hutson and Luke Hughes are destined to be connected forever. It’s worked out that way. Luke Hughes came into the league with the draft pedigree and the last name that’s good enough for nepotism on its own. Hutson was a second-round pick who wildly outplayed his stock the second he hit ice in the NCAA.
Both Hutson and Hughes dominated offensively in college, with Hughes putting up 48 points in his sophomore year for the Michigan Wolverines and Hutson putting up 49 in his sophomore year for the Boston University Terriers. After putting up big offensive numbers, both signed their entry-level contracts at the end of the season.
This cut off a year from their ELC, which is important since it cut an entire year off of a salary that is less than $1 million. Because of that decision, both guys wouldn’t have been eligible for an offer sheet when their contracts ended. That supposedly gives their teams the leverage in negotiations, since there’s no reason for them to sign early.
That is where these situations start to differ. Hutson was dominant offensively last season, easily winning the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year despite stiff competition (Luke Hughes finished third the year prior). Hughes was coming off his second full season, and he still didn’t have a contract. It took him until October 1st of this season to re-sign, when he agreed to a seven-year deal worth $9 million per season.
Hughes’s deal pays him literally $9 million per season. There’s no deferred money or weird bonus structures. It doesn’t even vary by year. It’s $9 million in year one and $9 million in year seven.
When Hughes signed his deal, analysts said it was a fine bet, but they acknowledged the risk involved. Most said it was a necessary move by the Devils, but they were surprised by the price.
On Monday, Lane Hutson signed an eight-year deal for $8.85 million per season. The reaction was much different. Some said this was the best contract in the NHL today. Hutson has played one season for a team that won one playoff game, but this is the best contract in the NHL?
We will admit this; Kent Hughes did a better job than Tom Fitzgerald in this negotiation. We say in the headline it’s for one reason, and we’ll say it’s one long-term reason. Before we get into that, we want to acknowledge how important it was that this deal got done in October the year before it was due.
The Canadiens’ GM saw that he was gaining leverage by everyone constantly talking about the lack of a contract for Hutson, and that’s why he signed for less than Hughes and Anaheim Ducks’ defenseman Jackson Lacombe.
Fitzgerald never had leverage. The Hughes brothers already took a discount when Jack Hughes signed for eight years and $8 million. It’s considered the best contract in the NHL (apparently until now). So, Luke Hughes getting $9 million before he’s “earned” it shouldn’t surprise anyone.
The big win for Kent Hughes is that he got Hutson to sign for the full eight-year max that’s being outlawed in the new CBA. Hughes is signed for a year less.
The only difference between Luke Hughes and Lane Hutson is the years on their contract
That is literally the only reason why Hutson’s contract should be considered better. Hutson had a great rookie season, but the flaws he came into the league with are still there. He’s still scary in the defensive end (which Hughes shares in his flaw). His size could still be a problem. His speed makes up for it, but we’ll see how he stays healthy.
Hughes has as much speed as Hutson, but many believe he has the ability to have even more. His top speed is faster than Hutson’s, but he’s playing in Keefe’s system, which was a little more restrictive last season.
We see Keefe’s system opening up this season with new defensive coach Brad Shaw adding his tweaks. Already, Luke Hughes looks better. He has four points in three games, and the Devils are 2-1-0. Hughes is one of four players on the Devils, and the only defenseman, who has been on the ice for all three games but appeared for one 5v5 goal against.
Meanwhile, the Canadiens only have six players who have been on the ice for two goals against at even strength. Hutson is one of those six players.
There’s little variance here, but Hughes has been slightly better through three games. These two players are going to go back and forth for the rest of their careers, which is why their contracts are basically the same AAV. We wish Hughes signed for eight years, but we’re happy that he’s here for the long run.