"Lane Hutson Commits to Canadiens with Jaw-Dropping 8-Year, $70.8M Extension"

“I’m beyond excited to be part of this team for the long term. Montreal has been home to me from day one, and I’m committed to giving everything I have to help bring a championship back to this city. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to continue this journey with the Canadiens.”

– Lane Hutson

In a move that solidifies their future, the Montreal Canadiens have signed their star defenseman, Lane Hutson, to an eight-year, $70.8 million contract extension. The deal, set to begin in the

2026-27 season, is a massive step up from his current rookie contract, bringing his annual salary to $8.85 million through 2033-34.

At just 21 years old, Hutson has already made a name for himself in the NHL. Last season, the young defenseman set a

franchise record for rookie blueliners with 66 points—60 assists of which tied the all-time NHL rookie record for assists by a defenseman, previously held by Larry Murphy of the

Los Angeles Kings in 1980-81. His phenomenal performance earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy, making him the first Canadiens player to win the prestigious award since Ken Dryden
in 1972.

This new contract is a clear statement from the Canadiens’ front office: they believe in Hutson as the future cornerstone of their defense. Drafted 62nd overall in the

second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Hutson has lived up to expectations and then some. He’s already proven to be one of the most dynamic young defensemen in the game, and with

one assist in his first three games this season, he’s poised for another breakout year.

The Canadiens are making sure they have the key players in place for a potential future dynasty, and with Hutson locked in for the next

eight years, the team’s trajectory has never looked brighter. As Lane Hutson himself puts it, “This is just the beginning.”

With Hutson on a long-term deal, Montreal has solidified their blue line for years to come, and fans can look forward to watching one of the league's brightest young stars grow into a dominant force in the NHL.

"Kerby Joseph Could Face NFL Fine After Criticizing Officials on Social Media"

“I get it, the rule is in place, but it’s hard to stay quiet when you see calls like that affecting the game. We work hard, and when we feel the game isn’t being called fairly, it’s frustrating. But we know we have to keep our heads down and focus on the next game.”

– Kerby Joseph, Safety, Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are facing not just the fallout from an emotionally charged game, but also the possibility of penalties for their players, including

Kerby Joseph. Following their intense matchup on Sunday, where tensions boiled over into a post-game brawl, all eyes have been on Brian Branch for potential disciplinary action. However, it’s

Joseph who may be next on the NFL’s radar, and his potential fine has nothing to do with the fight.

Instead, Kerby Joseph is at risk of punishment for his

public criticism of the game’s officiating. Following the controversial contest, Joseph took to social media to voice his frustration with what many believed were poor calls that favored the opposing team. However, the NFL has a strict policy in place that prohibits players from publicly criticizing officials, whether through interviews, social media, or other public forums.

In response to the situation, Joseph shared his frustrations, acknowledging the difficulty in staying silent when he felt the game was being influenced by questionable calls. “I get it, the rule is in place, but it’s hard to stay quiet when you see calls like that affecting the game. We work hard, and when we feel the game isn’t being called fairly, it’s frustrating,”

Joseph stated. “But we know we have to keep our heads down and focus on the next game.”

The NFL's stance on this issue is clear. According to Article 12, Section 3

of the playing rules, players are prohibited from making public comments that undermine the integrity or competency of officials. Joseph’s comments on Twitter, which followed a game with several controversial decisions—including a

no-call on a JuJu Smith-Schuster block and Chris Jones’ near offside violations—seem to fall directly in violation of this policy.

While Joseph’s comments reflect the frustration many players feel after games marked by controversial officiating, the NFL’s enforcement of this rule leaves little room for players to publicly vent their concerns. This silence, enforced through fines and potential suspensions, often only serves to build resentment among players and fans who feel that their voices should be heard, especially when the officiating impacts the outcome of the game.

As the Detroit Lions await the consequences for Brian Branch’s actions and Kerby Joseph’s social media outburst, one thing is certain—the league’s efforts to keep players quiet about officiating issues may only escalate the tension, leaving players with little recourse to voice their frustrations.

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