Mike Matheson was still, not so long ago, seen as the pillar of the Montreal Canadiens’ defense.
A phenomenal season last year with 11 goals and 51 points in just 59 games, statistics worthy of a true number one defenseman.
But the context is changing quickly, and what seemed certain yesterday is no longer so today.
Lane Hutson, the young prodigy, is knocking on the door with a bang, taking up more and more space, not only in playing time, but also in the team’s strategic planning.
And meanwhile, Jeff Gorton, phone in hand, sees a perfect opportunity to capitalize on Matheson’s still-high value.
Moreover, an important exchange in the NHL today sets the table: Cam Fowler was traded from the Anaheim Ducks to the St. Louis Blues for a 2nd round pick and defenseman Jérémie Biakabatuka. The Ducks even withheld 2.5 million of his salary to facilitate the transaction.
Fowler, a 33-year-old defenseman with a respectable track record but whose best years are behind him, is now in a market where experienced defenders are prized.
Next, Matheson is younger (30 years old), more productive and plays under a much more affordable contract, at 4.875 million per year until 2026. Do you see where this is going?
The Fowler trade provides a clear indication of what the market can offer for an established defenseman.
If the Ducks got a 2nd round pick and a minor prospect for an aging and expensive Fowler, what could Matheson be worth?
Probably a 1st round pick or an even more interesting set of pieces. And that’s where Jeff Gorton must see an opportunity.
Back to Matheson. Yes, he was a brilliant acquisition from Kent Hughes, who got him in a trade for Jeff Petry in 2022.
A trade that, on paper, almost seemed like just a way to fill a void after Petry asked to leave Montreal.
But upon his arrival, Matheson proved that he was much more than a backup. He took over the defense and flourished in an increased offensive role, quickly becoming a fan favorite.
But here it is: today, with the emergence of Lane Hutson, Matheson is less and less essential. Hutson, with his creative play, his daring feints and his game intelligence, asserts himself as the future quarterback of the CH numerical advantage.
At 20 years old, he already shows that he is ready for big responsibilities. And on the left, Kaiden Guhle occupies a solid role on the second pair, making Matheson’s situation even more delicate.
Why keep a veteran in a marginalized role when his market value is still high?
And this is where Jeff Gorton, as a seasoned strategist, must act.
The Canadiens don’t need to rush a trade, but they would benefit from listening to offers now, before the Matheson situation becomes more complicated.
After all, his impressive numbers from last season may not be repeated. And the more playing time Hutson gets, the more Matheson risks seeing his production decline, and with it, his market value.
Fowler’s exchange validates this logic. The Ducks, by withholding part of the salary, managed to obtain good compensation for a defender who is no longer at the top of his game.
Imagine what CH could get for Matheson, a player still in his prime, mobile, offensive and with an affordable contract.
A first round? A second-round pick and a promising young talent? The options are numerous.
Of course, some will say that Matheson remains an asset for the CH, a leader in the locker room and a role model for young defenders.
This is all true. But the reality is that the Canadiens are building for the future, and that future belongs to players like Hutson and Guhle. Matheson, while effective, is no longer the cornerstone he appeared to be a year ago.
Jeff Gorton is not one to sit idly by. He has proven he knows how to maximize the value of his assets, and Matheson represents a perfect opportunity to do so again.
With recent NHL trades, the demands for stable, offensive defensemen like Matheson are high. The phone is probably already ringing in the offices of Gorton and Hughes.
This is not a disavowal of Matheson, quite the contrary.
It’s a recognition of his current value and what he can bring to an aspiring team.
And if Gorton and Hughes play their cards right, they could transform this value into assets that will further accelerate the CH’s reconstruction.
Matheson, acquired in a brilliant trade for Jeff Petry, could now become the centerpiece of another stroke of genius.
And that’s Gorton’s talent: knowing when to act, and acting with precision.
Montreal has Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle for the future. It’s time to transform Matheson into the missing pieces to complete this puzzle.
To be continued…
