The Canadiens’ next priority (according to Pierre LeBrun): sign Mike Matheson

In the last 36 hours, the Canadiens have signed three key players to long-term contracts: Lane Hutson signed an eight-year contract yesterdayAnd Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton signed a five-year contract today..Hughes, like his players, was ready to sign a contract at a discount.But now that those issues have been settled, it's time to think about what's next for the city. And Pierre Lebrun talked about all this tonight. Insider trading segment. In fact, according to LeBrun, there is one issue that is clearly the club's next priority…and this is Mike Matheson, who is offered a contract extension.

INSIDER TRADING

… – Hughes/Gorton contract extension – Pressure intensifies in Buffalo – Annual Leafs/Nick Robertson speculation – Matheson's next big file for Habs – IIHF deal looming on horizon: Sundin in line for prestigious honor – Swedish coach Sam Hallam WATCH: https://t.co/rfkWUki07X pic.twitter.com/L6ctTOkEy8– TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) October 14, 2025

According to LeBrun, negotiations with Matheson and his clan will begin soon. Matheson is interested in staying in town beyond this season… but he'll have to make a deal that everyone can live with.According to LeBrun, the defenseman doesn't want anything to do with a short-term deal: it would take at least a four- or five-year contract to get the defenseman interested.

We know that Matheson, unlike the young guys who sign on the cheap, will likely get his last real opportunity to sign a big NHL contract… and his best offer probably won't be from the Canadiens.But we also know he's a local guy who's happy in Montreal: we'll see how much that weighs on the scale.Note that after Hutson's settlement, the Habs will have just under $28 million available for next season. The club will have to sign Zachary Bolduc, Kirby Dach and Arber Czekay (and Patrik Laine?), but the club will still have plenty of money left to offer Matheson. ThisIt remains to be seen what the club will be prepared to offer the defender, who turns 32 next February.

'After a while'

– KHL: referee disqualified for life for bad goal

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Mitch Garber had some nice things to say about Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes.@mitchgarber: “I’ve rarely seen anyone do a better job than him.”@TonyMarinaro #lesickpodcast pic.twitter.com/hl7SGjTkUy

– The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) October 14, 2025

– Great read about Kirby Dach.

Canadian | Kirby Dach is becoming more convenient and comfortable https://t.co/8TDafYKGWE –

La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) October 14, 2025