Kent Hughes, since his arrival in office, has not been afraid to offer good contracts to his young people.
Cole Caufield (eight years), Juraj Slafkovsky (eight years) and Kaiden Guhle (six years) all earned themselves long-term contracts without having to go through the famous bridge contract.
Hughes also inherited the contract of Nick Suzuki (eight years), which had been signed by Marc Bergevin.
Suzuki’s contract has always been a scale for Kent Hughes in his negotiations. Because apart from Patrik Laine, who already had a cap hit of $8.7 million, no contract was given by the CEO above that of Suzuki.
You will tell me that Carey Price is still on the CH payroll, but hey.
All this to say that one day, there is a player who will undoubtedly earn more than the $7.875 million per year than the captain thanks to Kent Hughes. The name Ivan Demidov comes to mind…
But in the short term, it’s Lane Hutson’s that I especially remember. And Pierre McGuire too…
Because Lane Hutson plays in a position of choice, because he does everything well on the ice, because he is young, because he is only touching the surface of his potential, because the salary cap is going to rise, because the CH likes him and he is one of the best point producers, he will have a big contract.
If Slaf got one after a good half season, Hutson can get one after a good full season, right? And this, even if he is not a first choice overall…
That must occupy the CEO’s thoughts, that.
It should be remembered that Hutson, by playing two games last April, burned the first year of his entry contract in 2023-2024. This season he is in his second year of three on his contract.
From July 1, 2025, he will be able to sign a contract extension, which would only come into force on July 1, 2026. And the more time passes, the more we say to ourselves that it could be done.
And if he signs, it certainly won’t be at a low price. After all, he is so special…
Remember that this season, Mike Matheson ($4.875 million until 2026), Alexandre Carrier ($3.75 million until 2027) and David Savard ($3.5 million until 2025) are the CH’s highest paid defenders.
Next year, Savard will be gone and Kaiden Guhle ($5.55 million until 2031) will be the club’s highest-paid defender – if nothing changes, of course.
in burst
– John Tavares is injured.
– Robert Saleh in Dallas, that would be… something.
– I like.
– Things are brewing in Toronto.
