Jackson LaCombe’s new contract: the market takes shape (again) for Lane Hutson

Lane Hutson's contract situation has been the talk of the town this summer. The Habs defenseman has been eligible to sign a new contract since July 1, but as of today, nothing is settled. And in fact, it makes sense, given that both sides had an interest in waiting to see the conclusion of the Luke Hughes file. The Devils' defenseman, who needed a contract for this year, finally signed yesterday: he got $9 million a year for seven years,so the market has been reset… and set for Hutson. But this afternoon, the picture got even clearer, as the Anaheim Ducks also paid for a top young left-handed defenseman: Jackson LaCombe.The Ducks' defenseman signed an eight-year pact… for $9 million a year.

Another big deal: the Ducks are making Jackson LaCombe the highest-paid player in franchise history. An 8x$9M AAV extension for the talented young defenseman

. Ryan Getzlaf, Paul Kariya and Corey Perry had higher AAVs, but this is the most in total dollars. https://t.co/bKnbwzPsyH –Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 2, 2025

We can therefore assume that in Anaheim, the case of Hughes was also closely watched. Seeing LaCombe sign for the same annual salary less than 24 hours later gives us some good clues, let's say.Especially as the two guys are in very similar situations: they've just racked up some 40 points and have been invited to the U.S. orientation camp for the upcoming Olympics.That said, all this suggests that the Hutson clan is starting to have some serious negotiating chips up their sleeve. Hutson is younger than either of these guys, and even though he wasn't invited by the U.S., he just collected 66 points and won the Calder in his rookie year,so it's logical to think he'll want more money… even if, in reality, his situation is a little different from LaCombe's: his next contract will buy far fewer years of complete autonomy, even if he signs for eight years.

Be careful before immediately concluding that Hutson will make $10M ++ because of LaCombe's contract.

LaCombe is 24 years old and, in his case, the Ducks bought 6 years of full autonomy. Significantly different from Lane Hutson's case – Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) October 2, 2025

So we'll have to see how it all pans out, but the market for young, top-notch left-handed defensemen is starting to take shape.

And that shouldn't make the Hutson clan too unhappy.

'Overtime'

– The Lightning claim Pheonix Copley in the waivers. Is this a bad sign for Andrei Vasilevskiy

? Tampa Bay claims goalie Pheonix Copley off waivers from Los Angeles

– Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 2, 2025

– Interesting.

What kind of player would Brendan Gallagher be if she played in the MLB? pic.twitter.com/zIbBVkUNqc

– TSN 690 Montreal (@TSN690) October 2, 2025

– News from Alex Ovechkin.

Alex Ovechkin is set to make his preseason debut tonight against the Bruins. More on how the captain's feeling https://t.co/RTfPkf7Tyr –

NHL Media (@NHLMedia) October 2, 2025