{"id":150838,"date":"2026-07-31T12:02:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T12:02:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/150838\/"},"modified":"2026-07-31T12:02:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T12:02:33","slug":"the-canadiens-may-have-secured-a-100-million-advantage-with-one-incredible-signing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/150838\/","title":{"rendered":"The Canadiens may have secured a $100 million advantage with one incredible signing"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n\t\t\t\t\t \"St. <\/p>\n

Photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The signing pulled off by Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens is still generating plenty of buzz.<\/p>\n

Yes, we’re once again talking about Lane Hutson<\/a>‘s contract.<\/p>\n

The analysis comes from Dom Luszczyszyn’s model, which evaluated the contract efficiency of every team in the league.<\/p>\n

It’s an exercise in which the Canadiens stand out.<\/p>\n

Kent Hughes’ salary structure is often praised around the league, and for good reason.<\/p>\n

It gives the general manager valuable flexibility in a market where prices continue to climb sharply.<\/p>\n

The Canadiens don’t sit at the very top of the rankings, though.<\/p>\n

The Carolina Hurricanes hold first place, ahead of Montreal in second for contract efficiency.<\/p>\n

There’s some irony in that.<\/p>\n

Carolina was Montreal’s opponent in the third round in 2026.<\/p>\n

Two well-run clubs meeting near the top.<\/p>\n

The Canadiens still earned an A+ grade.<\/p>\n

The model gives them an average positive value of 59% and an impressive surplus value of $240 million.<\/p>\n

Lane Hutson’s contract creates a $100 million edge<\/p>\n

In simple terms, the model estimates that Canadiens players are providing $240 million more in value than the total cost of their contracts.<\/p>\n

And Hutson is lifting the club’s overall rating almost by himself.<\/p>\n

According to Luszczyszyn’s estimates, the defenseman should be earning $22.5 million per season based on his true value.<\/p>\n

That’s where the $100 million figure starts to make sense.<\/p>\n

In terms of value, according to this model, Lane Hutson may have sacrificed more than $100 million by signing when he did.<\/p>\n

Wow. The context helps explain it.<\/p>\n

He signed his contract before salaries surged, and he wasn’t immediately eligible for unrestricted free agency.<\/p>\n

That helped the Canadiens.<\/p>\n

The model still points to two less efficient contracts.<\/p>\n

There’s nothing alarming about that.<\/p>\n

The club has breathing room, the veterans remain useful, and both are nearing the end of their contracts.<\/p>\n

The real question remains: how far can this advantage carry Montreal?<\/p>\n

What an incredible signing by Kent Hughes, much like the deal involving young Ivan Demidov<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n

Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics<\/p>\n

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