As the 2025 NHL offseason dives deeper into the summer, franchises’ decisions on their players heading into the next season are still volatile. While some teams have retained most of their players, some have been unpredictable.
One such name that has popped up recently is the Montreal Canadiens’ defenseman Mike Matheson. While people expected the blueliner to be a surefire member of the Habs for most of free agency, things seem unclear right now. And it is all because of some recent roster changes.
Mike Matheson Might Be Snubbed With the Canadiens’ Latest Addition
While the Montreal Canadiens managed to make it to the playoffs last season after missing them for three years straight, they were eliminated by the Washington Capitals. But with the Canadiens lacking on defense, there were a few bright spots.
And Matheson was one of them. With 31 points across 80 regular-season games, Matheson has been good on both the offensive and defensive fronts. Many thought that he would easily get a contract extension in Montreal.
But that was before the Canadiens acquired Noah Dobson from the Islanders and Lane Hutson emerged as 1D. NHL insider Dan Rosen mentions, “There are factors at play for Matheson and the Montreal Canadiens, none that should matter right now.”
Rosen continues, “The 31-year-old defenseman is signed through this season and remains an integral part of the blue line even with Hutson’s emergence and the addition of Dobson.” He mentions that with Matheson becoming a UFA next season, the Canadiens can get on a contract this year.
He also thinks that Hutson might be up for a big contract. He mentions that Hutson will also become a UFA in 2026. If the Canadiens give him a contract extension, it might exceed Dobson’s $9.5 million.
Rosen believes that Matheson should be asking more from his contract. He is currently in his last year of an eight-year, $39 million deal with an AAV of $4.875 million. He mentions that with forward Ivan Demidov just two years away from a mega-deal himself, Matheson should capitalize on this.
He continued, “The Canadiens certainly appear to be building toward a future top four of lefties Hutson and Kaiden Guhle and righties Dobson and David Reinbacher, a 20-year-old chosen with the No. 5 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.”
He mentions how they can make forwards Jayden Struble and Arber Xhekaj restricted free agents, and with that happening, they can plan how to keep Matheson in Montreal. He further continues, “There’s no doubt Matheson is a big part of the Canadiens’ current group.”
According to Rosen, he could be part of Montreal’s future top six when it comes to defense. But to do so, they will need to weigh many factors, including how Matheson is playing. With still time remaining in the window, the Canadiens might take a bet on him.
