Kent Hughes' huge contract is already a masterstroke for the Canadiens

Macklin Celebrini just signed a record-breaking contract extension, and the Montreal Canadiens might be the real winners here.

San Jose's 20-year-old center put together a monster season, then landed a deal this week that resets the market for young stars, according to a discussion on First Up.

Celebrini finished with 115 points in 82 games, scoring 45 goals and adding 70 assists, with 25 of those helpers coming on the power play.

So why would a Sharks extension matter three time zones away in Montreal? Because the Canadiens have two players just signed for way less money.

Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson are both still working on entry-level contracts, and both have signes team friendly deals.

Demidov put up 62 points as a rookie, including 43 assists, while Hutson racked up 78 points and a plus-36 rating running Montreal's blue line.

Every record deal for a 20-year-old superstar raises the number the next one has to clear. Celebrini just moved that number a long way up.

Kent Hughes is a genius with recent deals

Nick Suzuki already carries a cap hit of 7,875,000 as Montreal's franchise center, and Cole Caufield sits at 7,850,000 after scoring 51 goals this season.

Juraj Slafkovsky is locked in at 7,600,000 too. Hutson and Demidov are locked at 8,850,000 and 9,150,000 for 8 years.

Hughes has built a young core that looks ready to win now. Almost everyone is signed long-term.

Montreal finished last season at 48-24-10 for 106 points, with Hutson and Demidov already producing like core pieces instead of complementary depth.

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Nobody in Montreal is losing sleep over a San Jose extension today. But somewhere in Kent Hughes' office, someone is smiling.

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