Today, Mike Matheson seemed preoccupied. and it’s not difficult to understand why.
On social networks, anger is brewing: Canadian fans cannot digest the fact that Lane Hutson has still not been promoted to the first power play unit, while Matheson continues to sabotage the power play.
For many fans, the solution is clear: trade Matheson this season, before his value plummets.
By sheltering him from criticism and placing him on the first unit despite being horrible as a quarterback, Martin St-Louis is clearly looking to cut through the noise and protect a player who is becoming more and more unpopular.
The tide is quickly turning in Montreal, and the fans no longer hide their frustration. Matheson, who was initially welcomed as a defender capable of relaunching the attack, is today seen as an obstacle to the emergence of Lane Hutson.
The situation got worse throughout training camp, as the power play proved disastrous and Martin St-Louis’ decisions were widely questioned.
Why does offensive prodigy Hutson continue to play on the second unit while Matheson desperately clings to the first?
This is the question on everyone’s lips, and St-Louis seems incapable of providing a convincing answer.
Behind the scenes, rumors of an exchange continue to spread. Well-informed journalists, such as Richard Labbé and Guillaume Lefrançois of La Presse, are already speculating on a scenario where the Canadian, excluded from the playoff race in December, would decide to make Matheson a “hot convenience” on the transaction deadline.
After all, a defenseman who can jump-start the offense and is under contract for less than five million through 2026 could attract the attention of a general manager looking for a smooth playoff defender.
But for CH supporters, this scenario has a bitter aftertaste. They see in Matheson the symbol of a team which is not moving forward in reconstruction, which refuses to turn the page and make way for young people.
The discussions are not lacking in spice on social networks, and opinions are divided. Some point out that the Canadian cannot simply abandon all of its veterans and entrust the keys to defense to inexperienced youngsters like Kaiden Guhle and Lane Hutson.
For others, it is obvious that priority should be given to the future, and that Matheson, despite his qualities, is no longer part of the long-term plan.
The real issue lies in the evolution of Lane Hutson: if he continues to show signs of progress, the whispers around a possible Matheson trade will turn into a reality that Kent Hughes will not be able to ignore.
By protecting Matheson, the Canadian sends an ambiguous message. On the one hand, management seems to want to protect their defenseman from a wave of criticism that continues to grow, by avoiding exposing him to questions about the power play and his horrible performance with the advantage of a man.
On the other hand, this silence could be interpreted as an admission of weakness: is Matheson no longer able to cope with the pressure?
In Montreal, the fans’ patience has limits, and hiding Lane Hutson on the 2nd advantage unit only fuels public anger.
The majority of CH fans are unanimous: they want to see Hutson take control of the first power play unit, starting now.
The contrast between the two players is obvious. Where Hutson brings dynamism and boldness, Matheson seems lost at the point.
It is difficult not to see this decision to protect Matheson as a reaction to recent criticism from Maxim Lapierre, who described the CH as a “country club” under the direction of Martin St-Louis.
By moving Matheson to safety and continuing to give him responsibilities on the first unit, St. Louis is looking to show it supports its veterans, but it’s also walking on eggshells.
For supporters, this choice is an attempt to hide the problems rather than fix them.
Keeping Matheson on the first unit, despite insistent calls for Hutson to take his place, is looking more and more like a political decision.
By refusing to give in to popular pressure, St. Louis is trying to prove that he is still the boss and that he is not influenced by the ambient noise.
But at the same time, transaction rumors surrounding Matheson are only intensifying. As the months progress, the question will not be if the Canadiens trade Matheson, but when.
For now, the defender is protected from the media, but this shield will not last forever. The pressure from the fans and the urgency to see Hutson shine on the first unit will ultimately force the hand of management.
The Canadian will have to choose between maintaining the status quo or daring to make a courageous change for the future.
One thing is certain: Matheson, whether he likes it or not, will not be able to escape reality.
The quarterback of this team is Lane Hutson.
