Lane Hutson gives Martin St-Louis a major asset as Montreal's best contract, while Noah Dobson lands at the other end of the ranking.
NHL Forum selected Hutson's 8-year deal at a $8,850,000 average annual value as the Canadiens' strongest long-term commitment.
The contract hasn't started yet, but the logic is clear. Montreal locked up a young puck-moving defenseman before his value had another chance to climb.
Hutson's deal gives Kent Hughes cost certainty through his prime years. It also protects the Canadiens against a future market where top offensive defensemen may command more.
Dobson was named Montreal's worst contract at 8 years and a $9,500,000 average annual value, with 1 season already completed.
That label doesn't mean Dobson lacks value. It reflects the pressure attached to being the highest-paid defenseman in this comparison and the expectations that follow every shift.
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This Canadiens contract could become a major problem next season
The gap between the 2 contracts is only $650,000 per season, yet the perception around them is very different.
Hutson is viewed as a rising piece whose deal could age well. Dobson is already being judged against the full weight of a long-term commitment.
For St-Louis, that creates a clear deployment challenge. Both defensemen need meaningful touches, power-play responsibility and enough freedom to move the puck without exposing the Canadiens behind them.
The ranking also shows how quickly contract value becomes tied to role. Hutson can outperform his number by driving offense, while Dobson must produce like a top-pair anchor to quiet criticism.
Montreal's advantage is that both players address the same organizational need from different angles. Hutson brings creativity and controlled entries, while Dobson is expected to carry heavier minutes and tougher matchups.
The concern is concentration. When so much money and responsibility sit on the blue line, every poor stretch becomes a debate about value rather than form.
Hughes has made a long-term bet that Montreal's defense will become the engine of the roster. Hutson's contract gives that plan upside, but Dobson's ranking shows the margin for error.
The next season will shape both narratives. Hutson can make his deal look like a bargain, while Dobson must prove that the Canadiens didn't pay ahead of the results.
Is Lane Hutson already Montreal's best long-term contract?
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