Montreal — In a move that steadies the Canadiens’ future and ends weeks of speculation, the team has officially locked up defenseman Lane Hudson to an eight-year extension worth $70.8 million. The deal, carrying an $8.85 million AAV, came together faster than many expected — and according to TSN insider Pierre LeBrun, much of that urgency came directly from the player himself.

“This came from Hudson,” LeBrun said. “He wanted it done. He didn’t want this to hang over the team all season.”

Just two weeks ago, the talks appeared to be cooling off. The Canadiens had reportedly made an eight-year offer around $72 million, but with deferred money that would have lowered the average annual value. Hudson’s camp declined, and tensions rose. Yet by late this week, the tone had shifted entirely.

“The credit really goes to Hudson,” LeBrun added. “He made it clear he wanted to stay in Montreal, that he didn’t want to be a distraction, and that he believed in what management was building.”

A Player’s Push, a Management Vision

At just 21, Hudson already owns a Calder Trophy and a growing reputation as one of the league’s brightest young defensemen. His breakout rookie year showcased the two-way brilliance that’s quickly redefined the Canadiens’ blue line — vision, skating, and an uncommon calm under pressure.

But this negotiation wasn’t just about numbers. It was about philosophy.

General manager Kent Hughes and executive Jeff Gorton have carefully cultivated what insiders call a “cap culture” — a structure of team-friendly contracts that allow long-term flexibility. Players like Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki are already locked in at sustainable deals. The challenge was to bring Hudson into that framework without breaking the model.

“They weren’t going to be influenced by what other players around the league were signing for,” LeBrun said. “They stuck to their principles — and Hudson bought into that. He wanted to be part of something that’s built to last.”

Team-Friendly Deal, Star-Caliber Player

The result? A contract that many around the league view as a bargain.

Hudson’s $8.85 million AAV puts him below his peers Luke Hughes (New Jersey Devils) and Jackson Lome (Los Angeles Kings), both of whom recently signed for $9 million annually. That’s despite Hudson being younger — and already more decorated, coming off a Rookie of the Year season.

“Honestly, I’m not surprised,” LeBrun noted. “If this deal got done this early, it meant the Canadiens held their line and got their number. If it waited until summer, it probably would’ve been north of nine million.”

Timing mattered. With the NHL’s salary cap projected to rise again next season, every passing month risked inflating the market for young stars. Montreal, in turn, wanted certainty — and Hudson wanted focus.

“He didn’t play his best hockey the first couple of games,” LeBrun revealed. “It was weighing on him. Getting this done now frees him up mentally. The Habs get cost certainty. Everybody wins.”

A Changing Market and a Familiar Influence

Interestingly, LeBrun pointed to a surprising factor that helped Montreal’s case — Connor McDavid’s recent extension with Edmonton.

“Different situations, of course,” he said. “McDavid’s a generational player nearing UFA status. Hudson’s coming off his entry-level deal. But the message McDavid sent — taking less than market value to keep his team competitive — resonated across the league.”

According to LeBrun, Canadiens management invoked that spirit during talks with Hudson. “They told him, look — this is about building something sustainable, about giving us room to compete long-term. And Hudson bought that message.”

The Canadiens now boast a core built around Hudson, Suzuki, Caufield, Dach, and Guhle — all under 25, all signed long term. It’s the kind of structure teams crave in the modern cap era: balanced, stable, and scalable.

No Sophomore Slump Expected

The next question: what comes next for Hudson himself?

After one of the most impressive rookie campaigns by a defenseman in recent memory, expectations are already soaring. Around the league, executives are wondering how long it will be before Hudson’s name enters the Norris Trophy conversation.

LeBrun says that conversation might come sooner than people think.

“The Canadiens offered him eight years for a reason,” he said. “If there was any doubt about his defensive growth, or if they thought his size was going to limit him, they would’ve gone short-term — a bridge deal. But they didn’t. They’re all in on this kid.”

Montreal has every reason to be confident. Hudson’s rookie year wasn’t just productive — it was transformative. He quarterbacked the power play, logged top-pair minutes, and displayed a poise rare for a 21-year-old. His offensive instincts have drawn comparisons to Cale Makar, while his transition game and agility have elevated the Habs’ entire defensive identity.

“He’s not just a point-producer,” said one unnamed NHL executive via LeBrun. “He changes how teams play against Montreal. That’s the mark of a star.”

Cap Culture Meets Ambition

For Hughes and Gorton, this signing is as much about culture as it is about cap management.

“This deal sends a message,” LeBrun explained. “That Montreal wants to win — but wants to do it the right way. They’re not going to overpay just to keep up with the Joneses. They’re building something steady, and Hudson is fully on board.”

Hudson’s decision to leave potential millions on the table reflects a maturity that’s impressed teammates and executives alike.

“This is a kid who could’ve played hardball,” LeBrun said. “He could’ve waited, watched the market inflate, and cashed in next summer. Instead, he said, ‘I want this done now. I want to focus on hockey.’ That says everything about him.”

With the deal complete, Montreal can move forward — and so can Hudson. His focus now shifts entirely to performance.

“He’ll tell you himself,” LeBrun added, “the first couple of games weren’t his best. But now, with the contract behind him, watch how quickly he settles back into form.”

The Bigger Picture

As it stands, Hudson’s new deal will make him the second-highest-paid defenseman under 23 in the NHL next season, trailing only the Islanders’ Noah Dobson. Yet league-wide, he’ll rank 17th among all defensemen in cap hit — a reflection of Montreal’s savvy timing.

The Canadiens, meanwhile, have positioned themselves for sustained relevance in a rapidly improving Atlantic Division. With their young core locked in and their star defenseman secured at a reasonable rate, the team’s long-term vision is clearer than it has been in a decade.

And for Hudson — still just 21 — the next eight years represent more than a contract. They represent belief, trust, and the chance to grow into the face of a franchise that’s finally turning the corner.

As LeBrun put it: “They bet on him. He bet on them. And that’s how real partnerships are built in today’s NHL.”