Recent trend with 2nd NHL contracts is big money(notcrazymoney)times 6 years. It's actually a great compromise if you believe demidov and Reinbacher will be playing in Montreal as early as next season and that the team will be poised foe a long playoff run as early as 4 years from now.
A six-year deal for Hutson after next season gets you a 4-year playoff window before he signs what should be an 8-year contract as a 28-year old because he is born in February.
Hutson, during the 4-year window, will be 24, 25, 26 and 27, turning 28 in February of his contract's final year.
That window also has two years left for Suzuki, three years left for Caufield and five years left for Slafkovsky.
Demidov would be entering his second NHL contract and have anywhere from six to eight years left on that contract, depending on the term and extended and the Cap hit that comes with it.
Guhle would have three years left during that window.
Buying less UFA years (2 instead of 4, in Hutson's case) is a means to signing him around the Cap hit that Hughes got (7,85M), just under the internal Cap set around Suzuki's salary by Kent Hughes (not the player earning 7,85M).
I'd also look to extend Laine at Suzuki money, but for six years, not eight, spanning ages 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33. That would have the entire four years remaining on Laine's next contract during our 4-year playoff window.
Term is the way to keep Hutson's Cap hit down. Sux years is far from a bridge contract and still a long term deal.
Good for Montreal and Hutson as he will be and 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 in his third NHL contract, limiting the potential for wasted money in the final years of his contract.