Check out the latest on Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, the Rangers’ potential plans for next year’s UFA market, plus the latest on Martin Necas in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

CANADIENS TO KEEP HUTSON’S CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS PRIVATE

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Montreal Canadiens and the representatives for Lane Hutson have agreed to take their contract negotiations out of the public eye. There is concern that the 21-year-old defenseman is being affected by his contract talks, which are the subject of public speculation. 

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (NHL Images).

Friedman believes the two sides are continuing negotiations. However, they won’t discuss it with the media, allowing Hutson to focus on his game. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The recent contracts signed by New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes and Anaheim Ducks blueliner Jackson LaCombe shifted the focus toward Hutson. In hockey-mad Montreal, anything to do with a rising star like Hutson will generate speculation and headlines. 

It must be remembered that Hutson is in the final season of his entry-level contract. The Canadiens control his rights until July 2031, when he’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. He’s slated to become a restricted free agent next July without arbitration rights and will be ineligible to receive an offer sheet, giving the Canadiens considerable leverage. 

Most of the speculation centers on whether the average annual value of Hutson’s contract will be between $9 million and $10 million or possibly higher. So far, there’s no chatter suggesting the Canadiens might trade the 2025 Calder Trophy winner, but it’s bound to come up the longer this goes on. And no, the Canadiens won’t trade him, and no, he doesn’t want to move. 

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE RANGERS WITH THE TOP UFA TALENT OFF THE MARKET?

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh wondered what the New York Rangers will do now that the biggest names who were eligible to become unrestricted free agents next summer have re-signed with their respective teams. 

It was believed that the Rangers intended to pursue Connor McDavid if the Edmonton Oilers superstar had gone to market next year. Three of their core forwards (J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad, and Vincent Trocheck) are 32 years old. 

That leaves the Rangers facing a tough decision regarding left winger Artemi Panarin, who turns 34 later this month. They have no clear path to replacing his production, but signing him to another expensive contract comes with risk. 

Rangers general manager Chris Drury could pursue younger talent in the trade market, such as winger Jason Robertson, depending on how his contract talks go with the Dallas Stars. Other intriguing UFA options include forwards like Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings, Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres, and Martin Necas of the Colorado Avalanche. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panarin is now the biggest name in next summer’s UFA market, which could lead to his departure if he and the Rangers can’t agree to an extension. Meanwhile, there’s no certainty that Kempe, Tuch, and Necas will still be available by next July. 

That could force Drury to go the trade route, provided he’s still the Rangers GM by that point. Another finish outside the playoff standings could cost him his job. 

THE LATEST ON MARTIN NECAS

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato wondered if Martin Necas could price himself out of Colorado. 

The 26-year-old Avalanche winger is UFA-eligible next July. He tallied 83 points last season, divided between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Avalanche, and could reach a career-high 90 points skating alongside Nathan MacKinnon for a full season. 

If Necas gets close to 90 points, he could seek a raise over his current $6 million average annual value to an AAV exceeding $10 million. If he does, it’ll raise questions as to why they didn’t just pay Mikko Rantanen, whom they traded last January to the Carolina Hurricanes in a three-team trade that brought Necas to Colorado. 

The Avalanche must also ensure they have sufficient long-term salary-cap room to re-sign Cale Makar. The superstar defenseman is UFA-eligible in 2027 and can sign an extension starting next summer. Some estimates suggest he could seek a cap hit that rivals the $17 million AAV of Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas’ contract situation will be closely watched. Amato wondered if the Avalanche would trade a key player like Brock Nelson, Devon Toews, Valeri Nichushkin, or Mackenzie Blackwood to free up cap room for Necas and Makar.