Montreal Canadiens Mike Matheson

Matheson with the Canadiens

The Canadiens acquired Matheson in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins back in 2022. Jeff Petry and Ryan Poehling went to Pittsburgh while Montreal got a fourth-round pick in the deal. The trade proved worthwhile for the Canadiens as Matheson quickly became the team’s number one defenceman. He posted career highs with the Canadiens recording 34 points in 48 games in 2022-23 and 63 points last season. Matheson’s elite skating made him a valuable player for the team and a huge upgrade over Jeff Petry whose age had begun to catch up with him.

Despite Matheson’s success with the team, the Quebec native has struggled this season. He has 20 points in 40 games but has been lacking offensively since being replaced on the top power play by Lane Hutson. He has also been forced onto his offside as the team wants Hutson and Guhle playing on their strong sides (the left side). For these reasons, many have begun to wonder if it is time for the Canadiens to move on from Matheson as his value on the market has begun to diminish.

Trading Mike Matheson

A Matheson trade would fetch the Canadiens a solid package despite his value beginning to decrease.  The Canadiens young defence core has already begun to push Matheson out of the picture. It’s important to have some veteran presence on the blue line, but with the acquisition of Alexandre Carrier, Matheson has become more expendable. Not to mention that Kaiden Guhle plays like a 10-year veteran at only 22. Still, with David Savard set to hit unrestricted free agency, the team may not want to lose both their veteran defencemen.

The Canadiens have been on a roll since the beginning of December and are firmly in the playoff conversation. If this is still the case come the trade deadline, a Matheson trade would likely only come in the summer. This would be the ideal time to get rid of Matheson as the team that acquires him would have him for a full season. It also gives them more time to extend him which will incentivize some teams.

Montreal Canadiens Replacing Mike Matheson

If the team is going to trade Mike Matheson they need to be sure that they have an immediate replacement. Two of these potential replacements are already in their prospect pool. Logan Mailloux and David Reinbacher are currently with the Laval Rocket in the AHL. Mailloux has had a solid season as he was just named to the AHL All-Star game. Former fifth-overall pick Reinbacher has yet to suit up this season due to a preseason injury, however. If both Savard and Matheson are on their way out, the team will have to feel confident in Mailloux and Reinbacher heading into next year.

Still, having so many young defencemen in the lineup may not be ideal. If the team acquires assets for Matheson they may look at a follow-up move where they can acquire a mobile, right-shot, veteran defenceman. One name that comes to mind is Rasmus Andersson in Calgary who is rumored to be on his way out. Aaron Ekblad is the best right-shot defenceman available on the open market this summer. However, it’s unlikely he will make it to free agency. Still, the Canadiens likely will want a replacement for Matheson if they do decide to move him this summer. This will allow David Reinbacher to continue his development coming off injury and not be rushed into the NHL.