Dossier suivant sur la liste du Canadien: Mike Matheson peut viser 7 M$… au moins

Now that the hot case of Lane Hutson has been resolved, Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes will soon have to deal with the case of Mike Matheson. Since the parties involved know the parameters of what the 31-year veteran has to offer, finding common ground will be much easier.

The defenseman has offered a number of services to the Habs since acquiring Hughes in a trade involving Jeff Petrie on July 16, 2022.

Matheson, one of the first stones laid in the reconstruction of the Residential Buildings, was assigned offensive missions. General of the first mass attack squad, a lot of playing time when the team was looking for a target.




Photo by MARTIN ALARY

The quick emergence of Hutson and the arrival of Noah Dobson practically changed his tenure from start to finish. From now on, he offers the Canadian valuable services in a minority. At equal strength, he always takes an advantageous position in the first pair of defenders. This allows him to use both sides of his game for the benefit of the team.

“Since he's been here, he's done everything we've asked of him,” Gorton said Wednesday of his contract extension. He was asked to work on the first power play and he handled it well. He was asked to quell threats from the other team, he does it well. He pays fines. Everything we asked of him, this guy did.”

One of the most effective

Ideal. Now, how much would a jack-of-all-trades be worth who has averaged over 25 minutes per game since arriving in Montreal and who still manages to silence the opposition's best forwards?

In light of deals signed last year by defensemen in the same age group as Montreal, a deal worth around $7 million would be justifiable.

That's the salary that Jake Wollman will make with the Oilers, Neal Pionk with the Jets, Brady Skjei with the Predators and Brandon Montour ($7.14 million) with the Kraken.

How does he compare to them? It's very beneficial if we look at last year's leading statistics (this season's sample is still too thin).

No one is more effective than him in the defensive zone, retrieving loose pucks, winning battles along the boards and jumping on counters. He also dominates when it comes time to break plays with his stick.

Nakhodka

Obviously, he is not bad in attack either. If you exclude everything against the opposition (shot attempts, goals, expected goals), categories in which Montour dominates, Matheson would be at the top of the list.

Whether it be time of possession, zone exits, territory entries and slot passes.

I wonder if $7 million is too little? But since the fashion is to earn a salary slightly below its value, the future of the Canadian has not been this bright since the 20th century.e century, and he's a local lad, Matheson might well be happy with that.

As for Hughes, he will make sure he has the seventh important piece of his contract puzzle until at least the end of the 2029-30 season. And this at a salary that will soon have an impact on the payroll of less than 6%.

This is what we call a deal.

Fit like Letang

Moreover, with the exception of Pionk, who will be 36 years old at the end of the agreement, the remaining defensemen listed are under contract until they reach 37 years of age.

As Matheson celebrates his 32nd birthdaye Once this season ends, the Canadian may wish to cap his next deal at five years. In this case, the annual salary of Matheson's team could be slightly higher, as compensation for the two missed seasons.

However, if there is one player whose physical condition and skating is unlikely to deteriorate as he approaches 30 years of age, it is Matheson. The former first-round pick of the Panthers is one of the strongest athletes in the NHL and has one of the smoothest, most natural glides on Bettman's tour.

Somewhat similar to Christopher Letang, who, by the way, will be 41 years old when his current contract expires.

Four comparable contracts

Jake Walman, Oilers d'Edmonton

29 replies
$7 million for 7 years
The contract was signed on October 6, 2025, at the age of 29.
Comes into force in 2026-2027.
Valid until age 37

Neal Pionk, Winnipeg Jets

30 years old
$7 million for 6 years
The contract was signed on April 17, 2025, at the age of 29.
Comes into force in 2025-2026.
Valid until age 36

Brandon Montour, Seattle Kraken

31 answers
$7.14 million for 7 years
Contract signed 1is July 2024, 30 years old.
Comes into force in 2024-2025.
Valid until age 37

Brady Skjei, Nashville Predators

31 answers
$7 million for 7 years
Contract signed 1is July 2024, 30 years old.
Comes into force in 2025-2026.
Valid until age 37

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