Team USA announced 44 invitees to its Olympic Orientation Camp, but Lane Hutson was notably omitted. Hutson, who won the Calder Trophy and set rookie records with Montreal, isn’t on the 2026 roster because the blueline depth is elite and size is a factor at the Olympic level.

Fantasy takeaway: Hutson remains a high-upside dynasty target. The current path to a top-four role for him will take time, likely pushing his Olympic debut to 2028 or 2030. In the meantime, he should be stashed in keeper leagues and monitored for how Montreal maximizes his speed and puck-moving talent as he develops.

Montreal’s window to contend hinges on a mature core and smart, patient development. Suzuki, Caufield, Slafkovsky, Hutson, and Guhle form the nucleus, backed by a front office whose plan is finally bearing fruit. The addition of Noah Dobson from the Islanders gives the back end a veteran push, while extensions for Slafkovsky and Guhle lock in leadership on the blueline and in the locker room. The narrative shifts from rebuild to return-to-playoff-caliber, with the organization signaling it’s time to push for a deep run this year.

Gorton and Hughes are credited with assembling a young, talented group that still has room to grow, yet is ready to contribute meaningfully in fantasy terms. The Canadiens face heightened expectations, but the blend of youth with proven pieces suggests a competitive floor and upside scenario for several skaters. The path to a Cup someday remains, but the near-term focus is clear: return to the playoffs and establish Montreal as a steady contender for multiple seasons.

In fantasy terms, Montreal’s ceiling rises with the growth curve of Suzuki and Caufield, the two anchors who can drive scoring and power-play impact. Slafkovsky’s development, Hutson’s creative transition game, and Guhle’s all-purpose defenseman role will dictate line combos and PP time. If the Dobson acquisition sticks and the core progresses as expected, Montreal could produce a more reliable, multi-category fantasy profile this season, even if championship scenarios remain a few steps away.

Lane Hutson’s Calder-winning rookie season anchors Montreal’s long-term plan as talks on his next deal heat up. Sources say both sides are in a good place and contract discussions are ongoing, with a seven-year, roughly $56 million target floated as a feasible ceiling for a cornerstone defenseman. Montreal’s young core—Hutson, Guhle, Struble, plus veterans like Mike Matheson and Noah Dobson on the backend—gives the Canadiens a dynamic, puck-moving layer to pair with depth, setting up a potential playoff push in a still-open Eastern Conference. The Panthers remain the division bar, but Montreal’s path to relevance, playoffs, and sustained fantasy upside looks clearer with Hutson at the helm and a growing blueline around him.

Hutson’s rise, selected 62nd in 2022, maps onto a future where Montreal leans on a blue line built for offense and elite defensive play. Dobson adds veteran steadiness, Guhle and Struble blend youth with upside, and Matheson supplies experience. Retaining Hutson is portrayed as the next-step move to lock in a bright, long-term horizon for the Canadiens, making the team and fantasy rosters worth watching as the contracts and development timeline unfold.