In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we have the latest on the Canadiens and a ranking of next summer’s best remaining UFA-eligible players.

UPDATE ON HUTSON’S CONTRACT TALKS, CANADIENS URGED TO RE-SIGN MATHESON.

TVA SPORTS: Jonathan Bernier reports the Montreal Canadiens and Lane Hutson could be closing in on a contract extension.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (NHL Images).

Hutson’s agent, Ryan Barnes, was spotted with Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday during the Habs game against the Detroit Red Wings. It’s also believed Hughes had a busy morning after the Canadiens arrived in Chicago on Friday.

If the two sides were discussing an extension for Hutson, Bernier wondered if it would be a three-year bridge deal or a maximum eight-year contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was reported earlier this week that the two sides had come close to an agreement on an eight-year deal and were taking a cooling-off period when an agreement failed to materialize. Things may have picked up again after Thursday’s meeting in Detroit.

In a recent interview, Hughes remained optimistic about getting Hutson re-signed, reminding nervous Canadiens fans that the 21-year-old defenseman isn’t eligible for unrestricted free-agent status until 2031.

The Canadiens want to re-sign Hutson, and he wants to be part of the franchise. The average annual value of his next contract seems to be the sticking point. It could come in at between $9 million and $10 million annually, though it wouldn’t be surprising if it went slightly above $10 million.

Meanwhile, NHL analyst Renaud Lavoie believes Mike Matheson is a more than reliable asset on the Canadiens’ blueline. He thinks that they must do everything they can to keep the 31-year-old defenseman.

Eligible for UFA status next July, Matheson is in the final season of an eight-year contract with a cap hit of $4.875 million. Lavoie praised his all-around play and thinks being paired with Noah Dobson this season will improve his game and lighten some of his workload.

During the Canadiens’ golf tournament last month, Matheson said that he wanted to stay in Montreal as long as possible and that contract discussions had begun.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matheson’s role as the Canadiens’ blueline workhorse over the last three seasons opened him up for criticism whenever he’d make a defensive mistake. However, management has consistently praised his efforts, as have his teammates.

As Lavoie pointed out, the improved depth on the Canadiens’ blueline could reduce Matheson’s workload, in turn improving his game. Don’t be surprised if the Canadiens re-sign him before next July.

RANKING THE REMAINDER OF NEXT SUMMER’S TOP UFA-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

USA TODAY: Mike Brehm considers Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe as the best player who is eligible for UFA status next summer. The ranking was made after Jack Eichel re-signed with the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin is No. 2 on Brehm’s list, followed by Colorado Avalanche forward Martin Necas at No. 3, Buffalo Sabres power forward Alex Tuch at No. 4, and Utah Mammoth forward Nick Schmaltz at No. 5

Rounding out the list is Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson, New Jersey Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom, Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin, and New York Islanders winger Anders Lee.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kempe, Bobrovsky, Carlson, Markstrom, and Ovechkin are most likely to re-sign with their current clubs. Tuch wants to re-sign with the Sabres, but that could depend on what type of season they have.