Lane Hutson secured an eight-year extension with the Montreal Canadiens that is heavily front-loaded with signing bonuses, aiming for tax efficiency and cap flexibility. The $8.85M cap hit and a 10-team no-trade clause in the final years reflect a security-first approach that prioritizes team-building over immediate big-payday value. A broad injuries snapshot across the league adds roster volatility, creating both risk and opportunity for fantasy players.